Amendment ID: S3050-224

Amendment 224

Preventing the discharge of radioactive materials

Messrs. Fernandes and Cyr move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

SECTION__.  (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.