Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 regarding relicensing criteria for nuclear facilities to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to evaluate a facility for health risks, vulnerability to terrorist attack, evacuation plans, population increases, ability to store nuclear waste, safety and security record, and the impact of a nuclear accident.
Prohibits relicensing of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station until after the NRC has: (1) arranged with the National Academy of Sciences to provide an independent assessment of safety performance and recommendations for relicensing; (2) transmitted those recommendations to Congress; and (3) given appropriate consideration to those recommendations.
Directs the Academy to provide an independent assessment of: (1) conformance of the Station to its design and licensing bases; (2) operational safety performance and risk factors; (3) health risks, vulnerability to terrorist attack, evacuation plans, population increases, ability to store nuclear waste, safety and security record, and the impact of a nuclear accident; (4) the effectiveness of licensee self-assessments, corrective actions, and improvement plans; and (5) the cause of safety problems and overall performance.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 966 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 966
To require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to consider certain
criteria in relicensing nuclear facilities, and to provide for an
independent assessment of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
by the National Academy of Sciences prior to any relicensing of that
facility.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 17, 2005
Mr. Saxton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to consider certain
criteria in relicensing nuclear facilities, and to provide for an
independent assessment of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
by the National Academy of Sciences prior to any relicensing of that
facility.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, operating
for over 35 years, is the oldest nuclear facility in the
country.
(2) More than 3,500,000 people now reside within a 50-mile
radius of Oyster Creek.
(3) Nuclear power plants have been identified as inviting
targets for terrorist attacks.
(4) It is necessary to assess the safety, performance, and
reliability of the Nation's oldest operating reactor.
(5) An independent assessment will help in determining if
the plant can continue to maintain adequate levels of safety.
SEC. 2. RELICENSING CRITERIA FOR NUCLEAR FACILITIES.
Section 182 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2232) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``e. In determining whether to approve an application for
relicensing, the Commission shall evaluate the facility with respect to
health risks, vulnerability to terrorist attack, evacuation plans,
population increases, ability to store nuclear waste, safety and
security record, and the impact of a nuclear accident.''.
SEC. 3. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING
STATION.
(a) In General.--The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall not
relicense the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station until--
(1) at least 90 days have expired after it has transmitted
under subsection (e) the recommendations from the National
Academy of Sciences; and
(2) it has given appropriate consideration to those
recommendations.
(b) Assessment by National Academy of Sciences.--The Nuclear
Regulatory Commission shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academy of Sciences to provide, with respect to the Oyster Creek
Nuclear Generating Station, an independent assessment of safety
performance along with recommendations for relicensing and relicensing
conditions.
(c) Functions.--Pursuant to guidelines provided by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, the National Academy of Sciences shall--
(1) provide an independent assessment of the conformance of
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station to its design and
licensing bases, including appropriate reviews at the site and
corporate offices;
(2) provide an independent assessment of operational safety
performance, identifying risk factors where appropriate;
(3) provide an independent assessment of health risks,
vulnerability to terrorist attack, evacuation plans, population
increases, ability to store nuclear waste, safety and security
record, and the impact of a nuclear accident;
(4) evaluate the effectiveness of licensee self-
assessments, corrective actions, and improvement plans; and
(5) determine the cause or causes of safety problems and
assess overall performance.
(d) Access.--The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall issue such
orders as are necessary to ensure appropriate access for the National
Academy of Sciences to carry out this section.
(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall transmit to the
Congress the report received from the National Academy of Sciences
under this section.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
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