SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1444        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 540

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Dylan A. Fernandes

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve preventing the discharge of radioactive materials.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Dylan A. Fernandes

Plymouth and Barnstable

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

3/12/2025

Patrick M. O'Connor

First Plymouth and Norfolk

5/7/2025

Steven George Xiarhos

5th Barnstable

10/23/2025


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1444        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 540

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 540) of Dylan A. Fernandes that provisions be made to examine and report on the potential negative environmental and economic impacts of radioactive materials.  Emergency Preparedness and Management.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve preventing the discharge of radioactive materials.

 

Resolved, (a) The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shall examine and report on the potential negative environmental and economic impacts caused by the discharge of spent fuel pool water, including discharge by any means or methods that increase the rate of evaporation, of any materials created as a waste product of nuclear energy from spent fuel pools, including, but not limited to, processed water or any other liquid with elevated levels of radioactivity, including, but not limited to, tritium or boron, associated with the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant.

(b) In creating its report, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: (i) shall examine and investigate the potential environmental and economic impacts of said discharge, including discharge by any means or methods that increase the rate of evaporation; (ii) shall analyze the impacts to consumer perception of the discharge of spent fuel wastewater on the fishing, aquaculture, tourism, restaurant industries and other sectors deemed appropriate by the commission; (iii) shall undertake regular monitoring of the land, air, and water to determine the pollution levels created by said discharge, including discharge by any means or methods that increase the rate of evaporation; and (iv) shall make recommendations on measures to mitigate or avoid potential negative impacts on such industries.

(c) There shall be no discharge, including discharge by any means or methods that increase the rate of evaporation, of spent fuel pool water, any materials created as a waste product of nuclear energy from spent fuel pools, including, but not limited to, processed water or any other liquid with elevated levels of radioactivity, including, but not limited to, tritium or boron into the waters of the commonwealth until 90 days after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issues its report.