It is the intent of the Legislature that in the event of a nuclear accident timely and effective communications between the operators of nuclear powerplants in California and those state and local officials charged with nuclear emergency response activities be assured.
RadiationNuclear Powerplant Radiation
Section § 115275
This law is about ensuring that there is quick and effective communication between nuclear power plant operators and emergency response officials in California if a nuclear accident occurs.
nuclear accident effective communication nuclear power plants
Section § 115280
This law requires both private and public utilities that operate nuclear power plants with 50 megawatts or more capacity to install an automated alert system. This system will trigger alarms at the California State Warning Center, mirroring specific alarms at the plant, like the emergency cooling system and radiation release alarms.
The system must be set up within 12 months of the law's enactment and costs should not exceed $200,000 per plant for installation. Plant operators cover maintenance costs.
Alarm systems at plants should be operational as required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, except during necessary maintenance or testing. The Office of Emergency Services must notify local officials immediately when the alert system is activated.
(a)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(a) Each privately owned and publicly owned public utility operating a nuclear powerplant with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts or more shall install an automated alert system that will activate alarms in the California State Warning Center of the Office of Emergency Services in a manner to be determined by the office in consultation with the department and the appropriate county emergency
services agency. This automated alert system shall duplicate the following alarms in the control rooms of each nuclear powerplant:
(1)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(a)(1) Safety injection actuation (operation of the emergency core cooling system).
(2)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(a)(2) High radiation alarm of the radioactive gas effluent stack monitor.
(b)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(b) The automated alert system shall be operative within 12 months of the effective date of this chapter.
(c)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(c) In no event shall the capital costs of complying with this section exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) per nuclear powerplant. The operator of each nuclear powerplant shall be responsible for any maintenance or recurring charges. The funds expended by privately owned utilities under this section shall be allowed for ratemaking purposes by the Public
Utilities Commission. Publicly owned public utilities shall include funds expended under this section in their rates.
(d)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(d) The automated alert system shall be operational whenever corresponding alarms in the control rooms of each nuclear powerplant are required to be operational under the terms of the operating license issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, except for periods of time required for maintenance, repair, calibration, or testing.
(e)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(e) Nothing in this section shall require plant modifications or the conduct of operations that may be in conflict with conditions of a license to operate issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or other activities authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(f)CA Health & Safety Code § 115280(f) The Office of Emergency Services shall make provision for immediate notification of appropriate local
officials upon activation of the automated alert system pursuant to this section.
nuclear power plant automated alert system California State Warning Center
Section § 115285
This law states that nuclear power plant operators still have to inform local authorities about certain issues as required by other laws, even if the rest of this chapter mentions different procedures.
Nothing in this chapter shall relieve nuclear powerplant operators of their responsibilities to notify local authorities as otherwise provided by law.
nuclear power plant operator responsibilities local authorities notification
Section § 115290
This law states that if a nuclear facility does not follow the rules in this chapter, it cannot be sued or stopped from starting or operating because of that non-compliance.
Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter shall not constitute the basis for an action in a court of law or administrative proceeding to enjoin or prevent the operation or start-up of a nuclear facility.
nuclear facility compliance court action prohibition administrative proceeding
Section § 115295
This law involves the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station. If the plant is not operational, the local emergency plan doesn’t have to meet new emergency requirements until two things happen: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says the plant is safe by seismic standards or lifts old restrictions from 1976.
Once either action is taken by the NRC, the county must submit an updated emergency plan within 180 days for review. The Office of Emergency Services has 90 days to approve the final plan after it's submitted.
If the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station is not in operation on the effective date of this section, the local emergency plan for it shall not be required to meet the revised emergency response plan requirements of Section 8610.5 of the Government Code until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determines that the powerplant meets Nuclear Regulatory Commission seismic safety criteria, or until the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission issues an order rescinding the restrictions imposed on the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station in its order of May 21, 1976.
In the event that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determines that the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station meets Nuclear Regulatory Commission seismic safety standards, or issues an order rescinding the restrictions in its order of May 21, 1976, a draft county emergency plan meeting the requirements of Section 8610.5 of the Government Code shall be submitted to the Office of Emergency Services for review within 180 days of the determination or rescission. Within 90 days after submission of the draft county emergency plan, approval of a final plan shall be completed by the Office of Emergency Services.
Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station local emergency plan seismic safety criteria
