Bill Text: MI SCR0008 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to urge the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to fulfill their obligation to establish a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 17-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-24 - Referred To Secretary For Record [SCR0008 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SCR0008-Engrossed.html
Senators Zorn, Proos, Pavlov, Schmidt, Horn, Colbeck, MacGregor, Robertson, Emmons, Marleau and Rocca offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8.
A concurrent resolution to urge the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to fulfill their obligation to establish a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste.
Whereas, Over the past four decades, nuclear power has been a significant source for the nation’s electricity production. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nuclear power provided about 20 percent of the electricity produced in the United States in 2013, and Michigan's three nuclear power plants provided 28 percent of the electricity generated in Michigan; and
Whereas, Since the earliest days of nuclear power, the great dilemma associated with this technology is how to deal with used nuclear fuel. Currently, more than 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel are stored in pools or casks at temporary sites around the country, including Michigan. This high-level radioactive waste demands exceptional care in all facets of its storage and disposal, including transportation; and
Whereas, More than 30 years ago, Congress enacted the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to address this issue. The act requires the federal government, through the Department of Energy, to build a repository for the permanent storage of high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants and begin accepting waste by January 31, 1998; and
Whereas, It is now 2015, and the nation still remains without a permanent repository, despite billions of dollars collected from electric ratepayers for the project. Spent nuclear fuel continues to pile up at temporary sites around the country, and the ongoing problem of permanent disposal is a drag on the potential of the nuclear power industry to meet our nation's energy needs. There is only so long that our nation can continue to safely store this waste at temporary sites; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to fulfill their obligation, as provided by law, to establish a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
