Finally, as recommended by the Western Governors' Association's resolution, AB 2192 requires that shippers use casks of which on example has been full-scale physically tested. The casks shield the public from the potentially deadly radioactive materials inside. The Concord spent fuel shipment this summer showed us that the public lacks confidence in shipments conducted in casks which have not been full-scale tested. It is more than reasonable to ask that at least one example of the casks be tested. The costs of the provisions of the bill are fully covered by user fees, paid by the shipper on a per- cask basis.
Shipments occur only after fuel has cooled for an extended period of time.
Therefore, DIIS can accurately estimate how many shipments and thus, divide the user fee accordingly, so that no shipper bears an undue burden of the cost. AB 2192 has received strong bipartisan support and support from local government, emergency responders and environmental organizations including the California State Firefighters' Association, California Professional Firefighters, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, California State Association of Counties, Los Angeles County, Yolo County, San Bernadino County, Inyo County, the cities of Irvine and Santa Ana, Sierra Club, Planning and Conservation League, Women For, and Woman's Action for New Directions. I have met with your office to discuss the importance of this bill as a reasonable approach to protecting the people living along the spent fuel transport routes. In the interest of public safety as well as public confidence in these shipments and in the interest of being consistent the Western Governors' Association resolutions related to spent fuel shipments, I respectfully ask for your signature on AB 2192. If you have any questions or need further background, please contact Carol Wallisch on my staff at 319-2041.