Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2008/cite/116C/full
Timestamp: 2019-10-15 22:00:38
Document Index: 100801964

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 10', 'art 2', 'art 7', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 9', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 177', 'art 177', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

﻿ Ch. 116C MN Statutes
CHAPTER 116C. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD
116C.01 FINDINGS.
116C.02 DEFINITIONS.
116C.05 [Repealed, 1982 c 524 s 9]
116C.06 HEARINGS.
116C.07 [Repealed, 1982 c 524 s 9]
116C.08 FEDERAL FUNDS; DONATIONS.
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATION PROCEDURES
116C.22 CITATION.
116C.24 DEFINITIONS.
116C.25 ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS COORDINATION UNIT.
116C.26 APPLICATION PROCEDURE.
116C.27 NOTICE.
116C.29 WITHDRAWAL OF AGENCY PARTICIPATION.
116C.30 APPLICATION.
116C.31 LOCAL CERTIFICATION.
116C.32 RULES; COOPERATION.
116C.33 CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.
116C.34 BUREAU OF BUSINESS LICENSES.
116C.40 [Repealed, 1990 c 391 art 10 s 4]
116C.41 [Repealed, 1990 c 391 art 10 s 4]
116C.51 [Renumbered 216E.001]
116C.52 Subdivisions renumbered, repealed, or no longer in effect
116C.53 [Renumbered 216E.02]
116C.54 [Repealed, 1994 c 644 s 7]
116C.55 Subdivisions renumbered, repealed, or no longer in effect
116C.56 [Repealed, 1977 c 439 s 27]
116C.57 Subdivisions renumbered, repealed, or no longer in effect
116C.575 [Renumbered 216E.04]
116C.576 [Renumbered 216E.05]
116C.577 [Renumbered 216E.06]
116C.58 [Renumbered 216E.07]
116C.59 [Renumbered 216E.08]
116C.60 [Renumbered 216E.09]
116C.61 [Renumbered 216E.10]
116C.62 [Renumbered 216E.11]
116C.63 [Renumbered 216E.12]
116C.635 [Repealed, 1979 c 303 art 2 s 38]
116C.64 [Renumbered 216E.13]
116C.645 [Renumbered 216E.14]
116C.65 [Renumbered 216E.15]
116C.66 [Renumbered 216E.16]
116C.67 [Repealed, 2001 c 212 art 7 s 36]
116C.68 [Renumbered 216E.17]
116C.69 [Renumbered 216E.18]
116C.691 [Renumbered 216F.01]
116C.692 [Renumbered 216F.02]
116C.693 [Renumbered 216F.03]
116C.694 [Renumbered 216F.04]
116C.695 [Renumbered 216F.05]
116C.696 [Renumbered 216F.06]
116C.697 [Renumbered 216F.07]
116C.705 FINDINGS.
116C.711 NUCLEAR WASTE COUNCIL.
116C.712 POWERS AND DUTIES.
116C.72 RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY.
116C.721 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
116C.722 LEGAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIAN TRIBES.
116C.723 CONSULTATION AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
116C.724 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS, TESTS, AND STUDIES.
116C.73 TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES INTO STATE.
116C.731 TRANSPORTATION OF HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE.
116C.74 PENALTIES.
116C.75 DEFINITIONS.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY AUTHORIZATION
116C.77 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION FOR INDEPENDENT SPENT FUEL STORAGE INSTALLATION AT PRAIRIE ISLAND.
116C.771 ADDITIONAL CASK LIMITATIONS.
116C.772 PUBLIC UTILITY RESPONSIBILITIES.
116C.773 CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT.
116C.774 AUTHORIZATION.
116C.775 SHIPMENT PRIORITIES; NUCLEAR PLANTS.
116C.776 ALTERNATIVE CASK TECHNOLOGY FOR SPENT FUEL STORAGE.
116C.778 RERACKING.
116C.80 [Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 11 art 3 s 16]
116C.81 [Renumbered 116C.40]
116C.82 [Renumbered 116C.41]
116C.83 AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL DRY CASK STORAGE.
116C.831 MIDWEST INTERSTATE LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE COMPACT.
116C.832 DEFINITIONS.
116C.833 COMPACT COMMISSION MEMBER.
116C.834 ASSESSMENT OF GENERATORS.
116C.835 ENFORCEMENT OF COMPACT AND LAWS.
116C.836 ACTIONS CONCERNING INTERSTATE COMMISSION AND PARTY STATES.
116C.837 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.838 EFFECT ON EXISTING STATE LAW.
116C.839 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.840 DUTY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION.
116C.841 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.842 CONTINGENT PROVISIONS.
116C.843 CONGRESSIONAL CONDITIONS ON COMPACT CONSENT.
116C.845 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.846 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.847 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.848 [Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
116C.849 SITING CRITERIA.
116C.851 [Repealed, 1990 c 600 s 8]
116C.852 [Repealed, 1990 c 600 s 8]
116C.92 COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.
116C.93 [Repealed, 2007 c 133 art 2 s 13]
116C.94 RULES.
116C.95 LIABILITY.
116C.96 COST REIMBURSEMENT.
116C.97 EXEMPTIONS.
116C.98 [Repealed, 1994 c 454 s 13; 20 SR 1037]
The legislature of the state of Minnesota finds that problems related to the environment often encompass the responsibilities of several state agencies and that solutions to these environmental problems require the interaction of these agencies. The legislature also finds that further debate concerning population, economic and technological growth should be encouraged so that the consequences and causes of alternative decisions can be better known and understood by the public and its government.
1973 c 342 s 1
For the purposes of sections 116C.01 to 116C.08, the following terms have the meaning given them.
1973 c 342 s 2; 1975 c 271 s 6
1973 c 342 s 4; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1988 c 501 s 2; 1991 c 292 art 9 s 1
The board shall hold public hearings on matters that it determines to be of major environmental impact. The board shall prescribe by rule in conformity to the provisions of chapter 14, the procedures for the conduct of all hearings and review procedures.
Subd. 2.Delegation to hearings officer.
The board may delegate its authority to conduct a hearing to a hearings officer. The hearings officer shall have the same power as the board to compel the attendance of witnesses to examine them under oath, to require the production of books, papers, and other evidence, and to issue subpoenas and cause the same to be served and executed in any part of the state. The hearings officer shall be knowledgeable in matters of law and the environment.
If a hearings officer conducts a hearing, the officer shall make findings of fact and submit them to the board. The transcript of testimony and exhibits shall constitute the exclusive record upon which such findings are made. The findings shall be available for public inspection.
After receipt of the findings of fact of the hearings officer, the board shall make recommendations to the governor and legislature as to administrative and legislative actions to be considered in regard to the matter.
1973 c 342 s 6; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56; 1997 c 187 art 5 s 15
The board may apply for, receive, and disburse federal funds made available to the state by federal law or rules promulgated thereunder for any purpose related to the powers and duties of the board. The board shall comply with any and all requirements of such federal law or such rules and regulations promulgated thereunder in order to apply for, receive, and disburse such funds. The board is authorized to accept any donations or grants from any public or private concern. All such moneys received by the board shall be deposited in the state treasury and are hereby appropriated to it for the purpose for which they are received. None of such moneys in the state treasury shall cancel.
1973 c 342 s 8; 1975 c 271 s 6
Sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 may be cited as the Minnesota Environmental Coordination Procedures Act.
1976 c 303 s 1
For the purposes of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
"Agency" means a state department, commission, board or other agency of the state however titled or a local governmental unit or instrumentality, only when that unit or instrumentality is acting within existing legal authority to grant or deny a permit that otherwise would be granted or denied by a state agency.
Subd. 3.Coordination unit.
"Coordination unit" means the Bureau of Business Licenses established pursuant to sections 116J.73 to 116J.76.
Subd. 4.Local governmental unit.
"Local governmental unit" means a county, city, town, or special district with legal authority to issue a permit.
"Permit" means a license, permit, certificate, certification, approval, compliance schedule, or other similar document pertaining to a regulatory or management program related to the protection, conservation, or use of, or interference with, the natural resources of land, air or water, which is required to be obtained from a state agency prior to constructing or operating a project in this state.
Nothing in sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall relate to the granting of a proprietary interest in publicly owned property through a sale, lease, easement, use permit, license or other conveyance.
"Person" means an individual, an association or partnership, or a cooperative, or a municipal, public or private corporation, including but not limited to a state agency and a county.
Subd. 7.Project.
"Project" means a new activity or an expansion of or addition to an existing activity, which is fixed in location and for which permits are required from an agency prior to construction or operation, including but not limited to industrial and commercial operations and developments. Sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall not apply to projects which are:
(1) covered by chapter 93 or 216E or section 216B.243; or
(2) initiated for the purpose of taconite tailings disposal or mining, or the producing or beneficiating of copper, nickel or copper-nickel.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 3; 1981 c 356 s 248; 1983 c 289 s 34,35,115 subd 2; 1984 c 558 art 4 s 10; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1
The commissioner of employment and economic development shall direct the Bureau of Business Licenses to act as the coordination unit to implement and administer the provisions of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34. The commissioner shall employ necessary staff to work for the coordination unit on a continuous basis.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 4; 1983 c 289 s 36; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1
Subdivision 1.Master application.
A person proposing a project which may require more than one permit may, prior to the initial construction of the project or prior to the initial operation of the project if construction of the project required no state permits, submit a master application to the coordination unit requesting the issuance of all state permits necessary for construction and operation of the project. The master application shall be on a form furnished by the coordination unit and shall contain precise information as to the location of the project, and shall describe the nature of the project including any contemplated discharges of wastes therefrom and any uses of, or interferences with, natural resources. No master application shall be accepted for processing by the coordination unit pursuant to sections 116C.22 to 116C.34, unless it is accompanied by the certifications issued not more than 120 days prior to the date of the master application as required by section 116C.31. No master application shall be accepted for processing by the coordination unit pursuant to sections 116C.22 to 116C.34, unless it is accompanied by a certification from the board that either an environmental impact statement concerning the project has been completed or that an environmental impact statement is not required concerning the project.
Subd. 2.Notice; response.
Upon receipt of a completed master application, the coordination unit shall immediately notify in writing each agency having a possible interest in the master application arising from requirements pertaining to a permit program under its jurisdiction. The notification from the coordination unit shall be accompanied by a copy of the master application together with the date by which the agency shall respond to the notice. Each notified agency shall respond in writing to the coordination unit within the specified date, not exceeding 20 days from receipt, as determined by the coordination unit, advising whether the agency does or does not have an interest in the master application. If an agency timely responds that it has an interest in the master application, the response shall include information concerning the specific permit programs under its jurisdiction which are pertinent to the project described in the master application. The agency response shall also advise the coordination unit whether a public hearing concerning the master application as provided in section 116C.28 would or would not be required or of value considering the overall public interest.
Subd. 3.Subsequent permit requirement.
Each notified agency which responds within the specified date that it does not have an interest in the master application or which does not respond as required by subdivision 2 within the specified date, shall not subsequently require a permit of the applicant for the project described in the master application; provided the bar to requiring a permit subsequently shall not be applicable if:
(a) the master application provided to the notified agency contained false, misleading, or deceptive information, or lacked information, which would reasonably lead an agency to misjudge its interest in a master application; or
(b) subsequent laws or rules require additional permits; or
(c) unusual circumstances prevented the agency from notifying the coordination unit and the agency can establish that failure to require a permit would result in substantial harm to the public health or welfare, in which case the board may order that the permit be required.
Subd. 4.Application forms.
The coordination unit shall submit application forms concerning the permit programs identified in the affirmative responses under subdivision 2 to the applicant with a direction to complete and return them to the coordination unit within 90 days.
Subd. 5.Transmittal to agency.
Within ten days of receipt of the full set of completed application forms by the coordination unit, each application shall be transmitted to the appropriate agency for the performance of its responsibilities of decision making in accordance with the procedures of sections 116C.22 to 116C.33.
Subd. 6.Date.
If an agency has a procedure for setting priorities in issuing a permit according to the date of the application for the permit, the date used shall be the date upon which a master application is received by the coordination unit.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 5
The coordination unit immediately after transmittal of the completed applications to the appropriate agency shall cause a notice to be published at the applicant's expense once each week on the same day of the week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within each county in which the project is proposed to be constructed or operated. The notice shall describe the nature of the master application including, with reasonable specificity, the project proposed, its location, the various permits applied for, and the agency having jurisdiction over each permit. Except as provided in subdivision 2, the notice shall also state the time and place of the public hearing, to be held not less than 20 days after the date of last publication of the notice. It shall further state that a copy of the master application and a copy of all permit applications for the project are available for public inspection in the office of the county auditor of each county in which the project is proposed to be constructed or operated, as well as in other locations which the coordination unit may designate.
If the responses to the master application received by the coordination unit from the state agencies unanimously state the position that a public hearing in relation to a master application would not be of value in consideration of the overall public interest and are not required by any other law or rule, the provisions of subdivision 1 pertaining to the time and place of a public hearing shall not be included in the notice. In place thereof the notice shall state that members of the public may present relevant views and supporting materials in writing to the coordination unit concerning any of the permits applied for within 30 days after the last date of publication of the notice in a newspaper.
1976 c 303 s 6
After an agency has responded that it has an interest in the master application, it may withdraw from further participation in the processing of that master application at any time by written notification to the coordination unit, if it subsequently appears to the agency that it has no permit programs under its jurisdiction which are applicable to the project.
1976 c 303 s 8
A person aggrieved by a final decision of an agency in granting or denying a permit shall seek redress directly and individually from that agency in the manner provided by chapter 14, or any other statute authorizing either judicial or administrative review of an agency decision.
Subd. 2.Agency jurisdiction.
Each state agency having jurisdiction to approve or deny an application for a permit shall have continuing power as vested in it prior to February 15, 1977, to make such determinations. Nothing in sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall lessen or reduce such powers, and such sections shall modify only the procedures to be followed in the carrying out of such powers.
A state agency may in the performance of its responsibilities of decision making under sections 116C.22 to 116C.33, request or receive additional information from an applicant.
Subd. 4.Fee schedules.
Fee schedules authorized by statute for an application or permit shall continue to be applicable even though the application or permit is processed under the provisions set forth in sections 116C.22 to 116C.33. The coordination unit shall not charge the applicant or participating agencies a fee for its services.
Subd. 5.No applicability.
Sections 116C.22 to 116C.33 shall have no applicability to an application for a permit renewal, amendment, extension, or other similar document required subsequent to the completion of decisions and proceedings under sections 116C.27 to 116C.29, or to a replacement thereof or to a quasi-judicial or judicial proceeding held pursuant to an order of remand or similar order by a court in relation to a final decision of a state agency.
Subd. 6.Land use; zoning.
Nothing in sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall modify in any manner whatsoever the applicability or inapplicability of any land use rule, statute or local zoning ordinance to the lands of any state agency.
1976 c 303 s 9; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1985 c 248 s 70
No master application shall be processed pursuant to sections 116C.22 to 116C.33 unless it is accompanied by a certification issued not more than 120 days prior to the date the master application is first received by the coordination unit, from the local governmental units in whose jurisdiction the proposed project is located, certifying that the project is in compliance with all zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and environmental regulations administered by the local governmental unit and certifying that the preparation of any environmental impact statement which the local governmental unit is authorized to require pursuant to local ordinance, state statute, or board rule, has been completed or deemed not necessary. If the local governmental unit has required any environmental impact statement concerning the project, a copy of the completed environmental impact statement shall be attached to the local governmental unit's certification. If the local governmental unit has no zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or environmental regulations, the certification from the local governmental unit shall so state. A local governmental unit may accept applications for certifications as provided in this section and shall rule upon the same expeditiously to insure that the purposes of sections 116C.22 to 116C.33 are accomplished fully. After issuing a certification for the purposes of this section, no local government shall rescind it even though the local government may have changed its zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or environmental regulations. A change of zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or environmental regulations shall not invalidate a previously given certification for the purpose of securing a state permit under sections 116C.22 to 116C.33. Upon certification, the local government may change such zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, or environmental regulations, but not so as to affect the proposed project until the procedures of sections 116C.22 to 116C.33, including any administrative or judicial reviews, are completed.
A ruling by a local governmental unit denying an application for certification shall not be appealable under sections 116C.22 to 116C.34. The denial of an application for certification by a local governmental unit shall not preclude the applicant from filing a permit application under any other available statute or procedure.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 10
The commissioner shall as soon as practicable adopt rules, not inconsistent with rules of procedure established by the Office of Administrative Hearings, to implement the provisions of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34, including master application procedures, notice procedures, and public hearing procedures and costs.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 11; 1980 c 615 s 60; 1983 c 289 s 37
Subdivision 1.Federal requirements prevail.
If in a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction, any part of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 as enacted or administered is found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a condition precedent to the allocation of federal funds authorized to this state, the conflicting part of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall be void to the limited extent necessary to remove the conflict and the remainder of sections 116C.22 to 116C.34 shall remain effective.
The commissioner, to the limited extent necessary to comply with procedural requirements of federal statutes relating to permit systems operated by the state, may modify the notice, timing, hearing, and related procedural matters provided in sections 116C.22 to 116C.34.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 12; 1983 c 289 s 38
The Bureau of Business Licenses shall establish and maintain an information and referral system to assist the public in the understanding and compliance with the requirements of state and local governmental rules concerning the use of natural resources and protection of the environment. The system shall provide a telephone information service and disseminate printed materials. The bureau shall provide assistance to regional development commissions desiring to create a permit information center.
(1) identify all existing state licenses, permit certifications, approvals, compliance schedules, or other programs which pertain to the use of natural resources and to protection of the environment;
(2) standardize permit titles and assign designation codes to all such permits which would thereafter be imprinted on all permit forms;
(3) develop permit profiles including applicable rules copies of all appropriate permit forms, statutory mandate and legislative history, names of individuals administering the program, permit processing procedures, documentation of the magnitude of the program and of geographic and seasonal distribution of the workload, and estimated application processing time;
(4) identify the public information procedures currently associated with each permit program;
(5) identify the data monitored or acquired through each permit and ascertain current users of that data;
(6) recommend revisions to the list of natural resource management and development permits contained in Minnesota Statutes 1974, section 116D.04, subdivision 5; and
(7) recommend legislative or administrative modifications of existing permit programs to increase their efficiency and utility.
Subd. 3.County responsibility.
1975 c 271 s 6; 1976 c 303 s 13; 1983 c 289 s 39; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444
116C.52
[Renumbered 216E.01, subdivision 1]
[Renumbered 216E.01, subd 2]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 3]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 4]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 5]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 6]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 7]
[Renumbered 216E.01, subd 8]
[Renumbered 216E.01, subd 9]
MS 2004 [Renumbered 216E.01, subd 10]
116C.55
[Repealed, 1977 c 439 s 27]
116C.57
[Renumbered 216E.03, subdivision 1]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 2]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 3]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 4]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 5]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 6]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 7]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 8]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 9]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 10]
[Renumbered 216E.03, subd 11]
The legislature finds that the disposal and transportation of high level radioactive waste is of vital concern to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Minnesota, and to the economic and environmental resources of Minnesota. To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the people, and to protect the air, land, water, and other natural resources in the state from pollution, impairment, or destruction, it is necessary for the state to regulate and control, under the laws of the United States, the exploration for high level radioactive waste disposal within the state of Minnesota. It is the intent of the legislature to exercise all legal authority for the purpose of regulating the disposal and transportation of high level radioactive waste.
1984 c 453 s 1
"Dispose" or "disposal" means the permanent or temporary placement of high level radioactive waste at a site within the state other than a point of generation.
Subd. 2f.High level radioactive waste.
"High level radioactive waste" means:
The governor's Nuclear Waste Council is established.
The council shall have at least nine members, consisting of:
(1) the commissioners of health, transportation, and natural resources, and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;
(2) four citizen members appointed by the governor;
(3) the director of the Minnesota Geological Survey;
(4) one additional citizen from each potentially impacted area may be appointed by the governor if potentially impacted areas are designated in Minnesota; and
(5) one Indian who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized Minnesota Indian tribe or band may be appointed by the governor if potentially impacted areas are designated in Minnesota and if those areas include Indian country as defined in United States Code, title 18, section 11.54.
At least two members of the council must have expertise in the earth sciences.
A chair shall be appointed by the governor from the members of the council.
Subd. 4.Advisory task force.
The council may create advisory task forces under section 15.014, as are necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter.
Section 15.059 governs terms, compensation, removal, and filling of vacancies of members appointed by the governor. Section 15.059, subdivision 5, does not govern the expiration date of the council.
1Sp1985 c 13 s 242; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 186 s 15
The council's duty is to monitor the federal high-level radioactive waste disposal program under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Public Law 97-425 and advise the governor and the legislature on all policy issues relating to the federal high-level radioactive waste disposal program.
Subd. 2.Expiration date.
The council terminates when the Department of Energy eliminates Minnesota from further siting consideration for disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
Subd. 3.Council staff.
Staff support for council activities must be provided by the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning. State departments and agencies must cooperate with the council in the performance of its duties. Upon the request of the chair of the council, the governor may, by order, require a state department or agency to furnish assistance necessary to carry out the council's functions under this chapter.
Subd. 4.Federal and other funds.
The chair of the council may apply for, receive, and expend money made available from federal sources or other sources for the purpose of carrying out the council's responsibilities under this chapter.
(a) A person, firm, corporation, or association in the business of owning or operating a nuclear fission electrical generating plant in this state shall pay an assessment to cover the cost of:
(1) monitoring the federal high-level radioactive waste program under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 10101 to 10226;
(2) advising the governor and the legislature on policy issues relating to the federal high-level radioactive waste disposal program;
(3) surveying existing literature and activity relating to radioactive waste management, including storage, transportation, and disposal, in the state;
(4) an advisory task force on low-level radioactive waste deregulation, created by a law enacted in 1990 until July 1, 1996; and
(5) other general studies necessary to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
The assessment must not be more than the appropriation to the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning for these purposes.
(b) The office shall bill the owner or operator of the plant for the assessment at least 30 days before the start of each quarter. The assessment for the second quarter of each fiscal year must be adjusted to compensate for the amount by which actual expenditures by the office for the preceding year were more or less than the estimated expenditures previously assessed. The billing may be made as an addition to the assessments made under section 216E.18. The owner or operator of the plant must pay the assessment within 30 days after receipt of the bill. The assessment must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund.
(c) The authority for this assessment terminates when the Department of Energy eliminates Minnesota from further siting consideration for high-level radioactive waste by starting construction of a high-level radioactive waste disposal site in another state. The assessment required for any quarter must be reduced by the amount of federal grant money received by the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning for the purposes listed in this section.
(d) The director of the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning must report annually by July 1 to the environment and natural resources committees of the senate and house of representatives, the Finance Division of the senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and the house of representatives Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance on activities assessed under paragraph (a).
1Sp1985 c 13 s 243; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 404 s 147; 1988 c 686 art 1 s 62; 1990 c 600 s 3; 1991 c 345 art 2 s 23,24; 1996 c 470 s 27
Notwithstanding any provision of sections 216C.05 to 216C.381 to the contrary, no person shall construct or operate a radioactive waste management facility within Minnesota unless expressly authorized by the Minnesota legislature.
1977 c 416 s 2; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 19; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 10
Subdivision 1.Information meetings.
The board shall conduct public information meetings within an area designated in a draft area recommendation report, final area recommendation report, draft area characterization plan, or final area characterization plan. Information meetings shall be held within 30 days after the board receives each of the reports.
The board shall notify the public of information meetings and the availability of the area recommendation reports and the area characterization plans. Copies of the reports shall be made available for public review and distribution at the board office, the Minnesota Geological Survey office, regional development commission offices in regions that include a part of the potentially impacted areas, county courthouses in counties that include a part of a potentially impacted area, and other appropriate places determined by the board to provide public accessibility.
Subd. 3.Transmittal of public concerns.
The board shall transmit public concerns expressed at public information meetings to the department of energy.
1984 c 453 s 11
If an Indian tribal council that has jurisdiction over part of a potentially impacted area within the state requests legal or technical assistance, the board shall provide assistance.
1984 c 453 s 12
Upon notice from the Department of Energy that Minnesota contains a potentially impacted area, the chair of the council shall negotiate a consultation and cooperation agreement with the federal government.
Subd. 2.Disposal studies.
Unless the state has executed a consultation and cooperation agreement, a person may not make a study or test of a specific area or site related to disposal including an exploratory drilling, a land survey, an aerial mapping, a field mapping, a waste suitability study, or other surface or subsurface geologic, hydrologic, or environmental testing or mapping.
1984 c 453 s 13; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 244; 1986 c 444
[Repealed, 1Sp1985 c 13 s 245]
Subd. 2.Drilling.
A permit shall be obtained from the Environmental Quality Board, in accordance with chapter 14, for any geologic and hydrologic drilling related to disposal. Conditions of obtaining and retaining the permit must be specified by rule and must include:
(1) compliance with state drilling and drill hole restoration rules as an exploratory boring under chapter 103I;
(2) proof that access to the test site has been obtained by a negotiated agreement or other legal process;
(3) payment by the permittee of a fee covering the costs of processing and monitoring drilling activities;
(4) unrestricted access by the commissioner of health, the commissioner of natural resources, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, the director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, the agent of a board of health as authorized under section 145A.04, and their employees and agents to the drilling sites to inspect and monitor the drill holes, drilling operations, and abandoned sites, and to sample air and water that may be affected by drilling;
(5) submission of splits or portions of a core sample, requested by the commissioner of natural resources or director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, except that the commissioner or director may accept certified data on the sample in lieu of a sample if certain samples are required in their entirety by the permittee; and
(6) that a sample submitted may become property of the state.
Subd. 3.Other requirements.
(a) A person who conducts geologic, hydrologic, or geophysical testing or studies shall provide unrestricted access to both raw and interpretive data to the chair and the director of the Minnesota Geological Survey or their designated representatives. The raw and interpretive data includes core samples, well logs, water samples and chemical analyses, survey charts and graphs, and predecisional reports. Studies and data shall be made available within 30 days of a formal request by the chair.
(b) A person proposing to investigate shall hold at least one public meeting before a required permit is issued, and during the investigation at least once every three months, during the investigation within the potentially impacted area. The meetings shall provide the public with current information on the progress of the investigation. The person investigating shall respond in writing to the Environmental Quality Board about concerns and issues raised at the public meetings.
(c) Before a person engages in negotiations regarding property interests in land or water, or permitting activities, the person shall notify the chair in writing. Copies of terms and agreements shall also be provided to the chair.
1984 c 453 s 14; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 245; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1995 c 186 s 32
Notwithstanding any provision of sections 216C.05 to 216C.381 to the contrary, no person shall transport radioactive wastes into the state of Minnesota for the purpose of disposal by burial in soil or permanent storage within Minnesota unless expressly authorized by the Minnesota legislature, except that radioactive wastes may be transported into the state for temporary storage in accordance with applicable federal and state law for up to 12 months pending transportation out of the state.
1977 c 416 s 3; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 19; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 10
Before a shipment of high level radioactive waste is transported in the state, the shipper shall notify the commissioner of public safety. The notice shall include the route, date, and time of the shipment in addition to information required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 10, sections 71.5a and 73.37(f).
Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 177, the commissioner may require preferred routes, dates, or times for transporting high level radioactive waste if the commissioner determines, in accordance with United States Department of Transportation "Guidelines for Selecting Preferred Highway Routes for Large Quantity Shipments of Radioactive Materials," that alternatives are safer than those proposed. On an annual basis the commissioner shall review federally approved highway routes for transporting high level radioactive waste in the state and select new state-designated routes in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 177, if safety considerations indicate the alternate routes would be preferable. The state does not incur any liability by requiring the alternate routes, dates, or times to be used.
A person who intends to transport high level radioactive waste shall submit a transportation fee to the commissioner of public safety in the amount of $1,000 for each vehicle carrying high level radioactive waste in each shipment with the information required in subdivision 1. The fees shall be deposited by the commissioner into the general fund.
The commissioner of public safety shall consult with the commissioners of health and transportation, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and representatives of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal Emergency Management Agency, and the United States Department of Transportation and before December 1, 1984, shall prepare a plan for emergency response to a high level radioactive waste transportation accident, including plans for evacuation and cleanup. The commissioner of public safety shall report by January 1 of each year to the legislature on the status of the plan and the ability of the state to respond adequately to an accident.
Any person who violates section 116C.72 or who causes radioactive wastes to be shipped in violation of section 116C.73 shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $20,000 or a sentence of imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.
(a) A person who violates section 116C.723, 116C.724, or 116C.731 is:
(1) guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of not more than $20,000; and
(2) subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day of violation, payable to the state, and may be ordered by the court to pay to the state an additional sum as compensation for cleanup and for pollution, destruction, or impairment of the environment, including but not limited to contamination of water supplies or water aquifers.
(b) A violation of section 116C.723, 116C.724, or 116C.731 may be enjoined as provided by law in an action in the name of the state brought by the attorney general.
(c) This subdivision does not limit other remedies otherwise available to either the state or private parties for violations of section 116C.723, 116C.724, or 116C.731.
1977 c 416 s 4; 1984 c 453 s 16; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1
The definitions in this section apply to this section and section 116C.76.
Subd. 2.Groundwater.
"Groundwater" means the water contained below the surface of the earth in the saturated zone including, without limitation, all waters whether under confined, unconfined, or perched conditions, in near surface unconsolidated sediment or regolith, or in rock formations deeper underground.
Subd. 3.Undisturbed performance.
"Undisturbed performance" means the predicted behavior of a radioactive waste management facility, including consideration of the uncertainties in predicted behavior, if the radioactive waste management facility is not disrupted by human intrusion or unlikely natural events.
1986 c 425 s 10
(1) the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on May 16, 1991, reviewed and found adequate a final environmental impact statement ("EIS") on the proposal to construct and operate a dry cask storage facility for the temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel from the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant;
(2) the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviewed and approved a safety analysis report on the facility and on October 19, 1993, granted a license for the facility; and
(3) the Public Utilities Commission in Docket No. E002/CN-91-91 reviewed the facility and approved a limited certificate of need approving the use of casks.
The Minnesota legislature in compliance with section 116C.72, hereby ratifies and approves the EIS and the limited certificate of need and authorizes the use of casks at Prairie Island in accordance with the terms and conditions of the certificate of need as modified by Laws 1994, chapter 641, and without further environmental review under chapter 116D or further administrative review under section 216B.243.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 1
(a) Five casks may be filled and used at Prairie Island on May 11, 1994.
(b) An additional four casks may be filled and used at Prairie Island if the Environmental Quality Board determines that, by December 31, 1996, the public utility operating the Prairie Island plant has filed a license application with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a spent nuclear fuel storage facility off of Prairie Island in Goodhue County, is continuing to make a good faith effort to implement the site, and has constructed, contracted for construction and operation, or purchased installed capacity of 100 megawatts of wind power in addition to wind power under construction or contract on May 11, 1994.
(c)(1) An additional eight casks may be filled and placed at Prairie Island if the legislature has not revoked the authorization under clause (2) or the public utility has satisfied the wind power and biomass mandate requirements in sections 216B.2423, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), and 216B.2424, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (1), and the alternative site in Goodhue County is operational or under construction. (2) If the site is not under construction or operational or the wind mandates are not satisfied, the legislature may revoke the authorization for the additional eight casks by a law enacted prior to June 1, 1999.
(d) Except as provided under paragraph (e), dry cask storage capacity for high-level nuclear waste within the state may not be increased beyond the casks authorized by section 116C.77 or their equivalent storage capacity.
(e) This section does not prohibit a public utility from applying for or the Public Utilities Commission from granting a certificate of need for dry cask storage to accommodate the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant within this state.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 2
For the purpose of this section, "public utility" means the public utility operating the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant.
Subd. 2.Dry cask alternatives study.
The public utility must submit to the Legislative Electric Energy Task Force a reevaluation of all alternatives and combinations of those alternatives to dry cask storage.
Subd. 3.Worker transition plan.
The public utility must submit to the Department of Employment and Economic Development a worker transition plan if there is a shutdown of the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant for longer than six months.
Subd. 4.Nuclear power phase-out plan.
The public utility must submit to the Electric Energy Task Force a detailed plan for the phase-out of all nuclear power generated by the utility.
Subd. 5.Decommissioning plan.
The public utility must submit to the Electric Energy Task Force a decommissioning plan for TN-40 storage casks after the casks are emptied of spent fuel.
1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 641 art 1 s 3; 2004 c 206 s 52
The authorization for dry casks contained in section 116C.77 is not effective until the governor, on behalf of the state, and the public utility operating the Prairie Island nuclear plant enter into an agreement binding the parties to the terms of sections 116C.771 and 116C.772 and the mandate for 200 megawatts of wind power and 75 megawatts of biomass required by December 31, 2002, in sections 216B.2423, subdivision 1, and 216B.2424. The Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Council at Prairie Island is an intended third-party beneficiary of this agreement and has standing to enforce the agreement.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 4
To the extent that the Radioactive Waste Management Act, section 116C.72, requires legislative authorization of the operation of certain facilities, this section expressly authorizes the continued operation of the Monticello nuclear generating plant spent nuclear fuel pool storage facility and the Prairie Island nuclear generating plant spent nuclear fuel pool storage facility.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 5
1994 c 641 art 1 s 6; 2007 c 57 art 2 s 7
If the Public Utilities Commission determines that casks or other containers that allow for transportation as well as storage of spent nuclear fuel exist and are economically feasible for storage and transportation of spent nuclear fuel generated by the Prairie Island nuclear power generating plant, the commission shall order their use to replace use of the casks that are only usable for storage, but not transportation. If the commission orders use of dual-purpose casks under this section, it must authorize use of a number of dual-purpose casks that provides the same total storage capacity that is authorized under sections 116C.77 to 116C.779; provided, that the total cask storage capacity permitted under sections 116C.77 to 116C.779 may not exceed the capacity of the TN-40 casks authorized under section 116C.77.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 7
1994 c 641 art 1 s 8; 2007 c 57 art 2 s 8
The spent fuel storage pool at Prairie Island may be reracked a third time. The reracking does not require legislative authorization but is subject to other applicable state review. The additional storage capacity added by the third reracking and utilized when added to the total storage capacity of dry cask storage utilized, cannot exceed the total capacity of 17 TN-40 casks.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 9
(a) Until January 1, 2018, up to $10,900,000 annually must be allocated from available funds in the account to fund renewable energy production incentives. $9,400,000 of this annual amount is for incentives for up to 200 megawatts of electricity generated by wind energy conversion systems that are eligible for the incentives under section 216C.41. The balance of this amount, up to $1,500,000 annually, may be used for production incentives for on-farm biogas recovery facilities that are eligible for the incentive under section 216C.41 or for production incentives for other renewables, to be provided in the same manner as under section 216C.41. Any portion of the $10,900,000 not expended in any calendar year for the incentive is available for other spending purposes under this section. This subdivision does not create an obligation to contribute funds to the account.
1994 c 641 art 1 s 10; 1999 c 200 s 1; 1Sp2003 c 11 art 2 s 1; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 14; 2007 c 57 art 2 s 9
Subdivision 1.Authorization to end of current Prairie Island license.
Subject to the dry cask storage limits of the federal license for the independent spent-fuel storage installation at Prairie Island, the public utility that owns the Prairie Island nuclear generation plant has authorization for sufficient dry cask storage capacity at that installation to allow:
Subd. 2.Commission process for future additional authorization.
Authorization of any additional dry cask storage other than that provided for in subdivision 1, or expansion or establishment of an independent spent-fuel storage facility at a nuclear generation facility in this state, is subject to approval of a certificate of need by the Public Utilities Commission pursuant to section 216B.243. In any proceeding under this subdivision, the commission may make a decision that could result in a shutdown of a nuclear generating facility. In considering an application for a certificate of need pursuant to this subdivision, the commission may consider whether the public utility that owns the nuclear generation facility in the state is in compliance with section 216B.1691 and the utility's past performance under that section.
Subd. 3.Legislative review.
(a) To allow opportunity for review by the legislature, a decision by the commission on an application for a certificate of need pursuant to subdivision 2 is stayed until the June 1 following the next regular annual session of the legislature that begins after the date of the commission decision. By January 15 of the year of that legislative session, the commission shall issue a report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over energy and environmental policy issues, providing a summary of the commission's decision and the grounds for that decision, the alternatives considered and rejected by the commission, and the reasons for rejecting those alternatives. If the legislature does not modify or reject the commission's decision by law enacted during that regular legislative session, the commission's decision shall become effective on the expiration of the stay.
(b) The stay of a commission decision to approve an application for a certificate of need for additional dry cask storage under subdivision 2 does not apply to the fabrication of the spent-fuel storage casks. However, if the utility proceeds with the fabrication of casks, it does so bearing the risk of an adverse legislative decision.
Subd. 4.Other conditions.
(a) The storage of spent nuclear fuel in the pool and in dry casks at a nuclear generating plant must be managed to facilitate the shipment of waste out of state to a permanent or interim storage facility as soon as feasible in a manner that allows the continued operation of the plant consistent with sections 116C.71 to 116C.83 and 216B.1645, subdivision 4.
Subd. 5.Water standards.
The standards established in section 116C.76, subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (3), apply to an independent spent-fuel installation. Such an installation must be operated in accordance with those standards.
Subd. 6.Environmental review and protection.
(a) The siting, construction, and operation of an independent spent-fuel storage installation located on the site of a Minnesota generation facility for dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel generated solely by that facility is subject to all environmental review and protection provisions of this chapter and chapters 115, 115B, 116, 116B, 116D, and 216B, and rules associated with those chapters, except those statutes and rules that apply specifically to a radioactive waste management facility as defined in section 116C.71, subdivision 7.
(b) An environmental impact statement is required under chapter 116D for a proposal to construct and operate a new or expanded independent spent-fuel storage installation. The commissioner of the Department of Commerce shall be the responsible governmental unit for the environmental impact statement. Prior to finding the statement adequate, the commissioner must find that the applicant has demonstrated that the facility is designed to provide a reasonable expectation that the operation of the facility will not result in groundwater contamination in excess of the standards established in section 116C.76, subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (3).
1Sp2003 c 11 art 1 s 2; 2005 c 97 art 3 s 19
The Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact is enacted into law and entered into with all jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:
The states party to this compact recognize that the Congress of the United States, by enacting the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (United States Code, title 42, sections 2021b to 2021j), as amended through December 31, 1985, has provided for and encouraged the development of low-level radioactive waste compacts as a tool for disposing of such waste. The party states acknowledge that the Congress has declared that each state is responsible for providing for the availability of capacity either within or outside the state for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated within its borders, except for waste generated as a result of certain defense activities of the federal government or federal research and development activities. The party states also recognize that the disposal of low-level radioactive waste is handled most efficiently on a regional basis; and, that the safe and efficient management of low-level radioactive waste generated within the region requires that sufficient capacity to dispose of such waste be properly provided.
b. "Close," "closed," or "closing" means that the compact facility with respect to which any of those terms is used has ceased to accept waste for disposal. "Permanently closed" means that the compact facility with respect to which the term is used has ceased to accept waste because it has operated for 20 years or a longer period of time as authorized by article VI.i. of this compact, its capacity has been reached, the Commission has authorized it to close pursuant to article III.h.7. of this compact, the host state of such facility has withdrawn from the compact or had its membership revoked, or this compact has been dissolved.
f. "Disposal," with regard to low-level radioactive waste, means the permanent isolation of that waste in accordance with the requirements established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or the licensing agreement state.
i. "Final decision" means a final action of the Commission determining the legal rights, duties, or privileges of any person. "Final decision" does not include preliminary, procedural, or intermediate actions by the Commission, actions regulating the internal administration of the Commission, or actions of the Commission to enter into or refrain from entering into contracts or agreements with vendors to provide goods or services to the Commission.
j. "Generator" means any person who first produces low-level radioactive waste, including, without limitation, any person who does so in the course of or incident to manufacturing, power generation, processing, waste treatment, waste storage, medical diagnosis and treatment, research, or other industrial or commercial activity. If the person who first produced an item or quantity of waste cannot be identified, "generator" means the person first possessing the waste who can be identified.
l. "Long-term care" means those activities taken by a host state after a compact facility is permanently closed to ensure the protection of air, land, and water resources and the health and safety of all people who may be affected by the facility.
m. "Low-level radioactive waste" or "waste" means radioactive waste that is not classified as high-level radioactive waste and that is class A, B, or C low-level radioactive waste as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 10, section 61.55, as that section existed on January 26, 1983. Low-level radioactive waste or waste does not include any such radioactive waste that is owned or generated by the United States Department of Energy; by the United States Navy as a result of the decommissioning of its vessels; or as a result of any research, development, testing, or production of any atomic weapon.
n. "Operates," "operational," or "operating" means that the compact facility with respect to which any of those terms is used accepts waste for disposal.
o. "Party state" means any eligible state that enacts this compact into law, pays any eligibility fee established by the Commission, and has not withdrawn from this compact or had its membership in this compact revoked, provided that a state that has withdrawn from this compact or had its membership revoked again becomes a party state if it is readmitted to membership in this compact pursuant to article VIII.a. of this compact. Party state includes any host state. Party state also includes any statutorily created administrative departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of a party state, but does not include municipal corporations, regional or local units of government, or other political subdivisions of a party state that are responsible for governmental activities on less than a statewide basis.
p. "Person" means any individual, corporation, association, business enterprise or other legal entity either public or private and any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of that individual, corporation, association, business enterprise, or other legal entity. Person also includes the United States, states, political subdivisions of states, and any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or a state.
u. "Treatment" means any method, technique, or process, including storage for radioactive decay, designed to change the physical, chemical or biological characteristics or composition of any waste in order to render the waste safer for transport or management, amenable to recovery, convertible to another usable material, or reduced in volume.
v. "Waste management," "manage waste," "management of waste," "management," or "managed" means the storage, treatment, or disposal of waste.
a. There is hereby created the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. The Commission consists of one voting member from each party state. The Governor of each party state shall notify the Commission in writing of its member and any alternates. An alternate may act on behalf of the member only in that member's absence. The method for selection and the expenses of each Commission member shall be the responsibility of the member's respective state.
c. The Commission shall elect annually from among its members a chairperson. The Commission shall adopt and publish, in convenient form, bylaws, and policies which are not inconsistent with this compact, including procedures for the use of binding arbitration under article VI.o. of this compact and procedures which substantially conform with the provisions of the federal Administrative Procedure Act compiled at United States Code, title 5, sections 500 to 559, in regard to notice, conduct, and recording of meetings; access by the public to records; provision of information to the public; conduct of adjudicatory hearings; and issuance of decisions.
a. Import for disposal within the region, waste generated outside the region.
b. Export for disposal outside the region, waste generated inside the region.
9. Establish and implement procedures for obtaining information from generators regarding the volume and characteristics of waste projected to be disposed of at compact facilities and regarding generator activities with respect to source reduction, recycling, and treatment of waste.
2. When a compact facility is operating, funding for the Commission shall be provided through a surcharge collected by the host state as part of the fee system provided for in article VI.j. The surcharge to be collected by the host state shall be determined by the Commission and shall be reasonable and equitable.
a. Cover the annual budget of the Commission;
b. Provide a host state with the funds necessary to pay reasonable development expenses incurred by the host state after it is designated to host a compact facility;
c. Provide money for deposit in the remedial action fund established pursuant to article III.p. of this compact; and
d. Provide money to be added to an inadequately funded long-term care fund as provided in article VI.o. of this compact.
1. The Commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions and may utilize and dispose of any donations, grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services from any state or the United States (or any subdivision or agency thereof), or interstate agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation. The nature, amount, and condition, if any, attendant upon any donation or grant accepted or received by the Commission together with the identity of the donor, grantor or lender, shall be detailed in the annual report of the Commission.
m. The Commission is a legal entity separate and distinct from the party states. Members of the Commission and its employees are not personally liable for actions taken by them in their official capacity. The Commission is not liable or otherwise responsible for any costs, expenses, or liabilities resulting from the development, construction, operation, regulation, closing, or long-term care of any compact facility or any noncompact facility made available to the region by any contract or agreement entered into by the Commission under article III.h.6. of this compact. Nothing in article III.m. of this compact relieves the Commission of its allegations under article III of this compact or under contracts to which it is a party. Any liabilities of the Commission are not liabilities of the party states.
3. Judicial review of a final decision shall be initiated by filing a petition in the United States district court for the district in which the person seeking the review resides or in which the Commission's office is located not later than 60 days after issuance of the Commission's written decision. Concurrently with filing the petition for review with the court, the petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition on the Commission. Within five days after receiving a copy of the petition, the Commission shall mail a copy of it to each party state and to all other persons who have notified the Commission of their desire to receive copies of such petitions. Any failure of the Commission to so mail copies of the petition does not affect the jurisdiction of the reviewing court. Except as otherwise provided in article III.n.3. of this compact, standing to obtain judicial review of final decisions of the Commission and the form and scope of the review are subject to and governed by United States Code, title 5, section 706.
a. Imposes financial penalties on a party state;
b. Suspends the right of a party state to have waste generated within its borders disposed of at a compact facility or at a noncompact facility made available to the region by an agreement entered into by the Commission under article III.h.6. of this compact;
c. Terminates the designation of a party state as a host state;
d. Revokes the membership of a party state in this compact; or
e. Establishes the amounts of money that a party state that has withdrawn from this compact or had its membership in this compact revoked is required to pay under article VIII.e. of this compact.
5. Preliminary, procedural, or intermediate actions by the Commission that precede a final decision are subject to review only in conjunction with review of the final decision.
p. The Commission shall establish a remedial action fund to pay the costs of reasonable remedial actions taken by a party state if an event results from the development, construction, operation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility that poses a threat to human health, safety, or welfare or to the environment. The amount of the remedial action fund shall be adequate to pay the costs of all reasonably foreseeable remedial actions. A party state shall notify the Commission as soon as reasonably practical after the occurrence of any event that may require the party state to take a remedial action. The failure of a party state to so notify the Commission does not limit the rights of the party state under article III.p. of this compact.
If the moneys in the remedial action fund are inadequate to pay the costs of reasonable remedial actions, the amount of the deficiency is a liability with respect to which generators shall provide indemnification under article VII.g. of this compact. Generators who provide the required indemnification have the rights of contribution provided in article VII.g. of this compact. Article III.p. of this compact applies to any remedial action taken by a party state regardless of whether the party state takes the remedial action on its own initiative or because it is required to do so by a court or regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction.
q. If the Commission makes payment from the remedial action fund provided for in article III.p. of this compact, the Commission is entitled to obtain reimbursement under applicable rules of law from any person who is responsible for the event giving rise to the remedial action. Such reimbursement may be obtained from a party state only if the event giving rise to the remedial action resulted from the activities of that party state as a generator of waste.
l. The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the party states;
4. The volumes and types of wastes projected to be generated within each party state;
5. The environmental impacts on the air, land and water resources of the party states;
d. Prepare a draft disposal plan and any update thereof, including procedures, criteria, and host states, which shall be made available in a convenient form to the public for comment. Upon the request of a party state, the Commission shall conduct a public hearing in that state prior to the adoption or update of the disposal plan. The disposal plan and any update thereof shall include the commission's response to public and party state comment.
b. Except for waste attributable to radioactive material or waste imported into the region in order to render the material or waste amenable to transportation, storage, disposal, or recovery, or in order to convert the waste or material to another usable material, or to reduce it in volume or otherwise treat it, each party state has the right to have all wastes generated within its borders disposed of at compact facilities subject to the payment of all fees established by the host state under article VI.j. of this compact and to the provisions contained in articles VI.l., VI.s., VIII.d., IX.d., and X of this compact. All party states have an equal right of access to any facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, subject to the provisions of articles VI.l., VI.s., VIII.d., and X of this compact.
d. To the extent permitted by federal law, each party state may enforce any applicable federal and state laws, regulations and rules pertaining to the packaging and transportation of waste generated within or passing through its borders. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a party state to enter into any agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
f. If, notwithstanding the sovereign immunity provision in article VII.f.1. of this compact and the indemnification provided for in articles III.p., VI.o., and VII.g. of this compact, a party state incurs a cost as a result of an inadequate remedial action fund or an exhausted long-term care fund, or incurs a liability as a result of an action described in article VII.f.1. of this compact and not described in article VII.f.2. of this compact, the cost or liability shall be the pro rata obligation of each party state and each state that has withdrawn from this compact or had its membership in this compact revoked. The Commission shall determine each state's pro rata obligation in a fair and equitable manner based on the amount of waste from each such state that has been or is projected to be disposed of at the compact facility with respect to which the cost or liability to be shared was incurred. No state shall be obligated to pay the pro rata obligation of any other state.
ARTICLE VI. DEVELOPMENT, OPERATION, AND CLOSING
OF COMPACT FACILITIES
b. If not all compact facilities required by the regional disposal plan are developed pursuant to article VI.a. of this compact, the Commission may designate a host state.
c. After a state is designated a host state by the Commission, it is responsible for the timely development and operation of the compact facility it is designated to host. The development and operation of the compact facility shall not conflict with applicable federal and host state laws, rules, and regulations, provided that the laws, rules, and regulations of a host state and its political subdivisions shall not prevent, nor shall they be applied so as to prevent, the host state's discharge of the obligation set forth in article VI.c. of this compact. The obligation set forth in article VI.c. of this compact is contingent upon the discharge by the Commission of its obligation set forth in article III.i.5. of this compact.
e. Any party state designated as a host state may request the Commission to relieve that state of the responsibility to serve as a host state. Except as set forth in article VI.d. of this compact, the Commission may relieve a party state of its responsibility only upon a showing by the requesting party state that, based upon criteria established by the Commission that are consistent with any applicable federal criteria, no feasible potential compact facility site exists within its borders. A party state relieved of its host state responsibility shall repay to the Commission any funds provided to that state by the Commission for the development of a compact facility, and also shall pay to the Commission the amount the Commission determines is necessary to ensure that the Commission and the other party states do not incur financial loss as a result of the state being relieved of its host state responsibility. Any funds so paid to the Commission with respect to the financial loss of the other party states shall be distributed forthwith by the Commission to the party states that would otherwise incur the loss. In addition, until the state relieved of its responsibility is again designated as a host state and a compact facility located in that state begins operating, it shall annually pay to the Commission, for deposit in the remedial action fund, an amount the Commission determines is fair and equitable in light of the fact the state has been relieved of the responsibility to host a compact facility, but continues to enjoy the benefits of being a member of this compact.
f. The host state shall select the technology for the compact facility. If requested by the Commission, information regarding the technology selected by the host state shall be submitted to the Commission for its review. The Commission may require the host state to make changes in the technology selected by the host state if the Commission demonstrates that the changes do not decrease the protection of air, land, and water resources and the health and safety of all people who may be affected by the facility. If requested by the host state, any Commission decision requiring the host state to make changes in the technology shall be preceded by an adjudicatory hearing in which the Commission shall have the burden of proof.
g. A host state may assign to a private contractor the responsibility, in whole or in part, to develop, construct, operate, close, or provide long-term care for a compact facility. Assignment of such responsibility by a host state to a private contractor does not relieve the host state of any responsibility imposed upon it by this compact. A host state may secure indemnification from the contractor for any costs, liabilities, and expenses incurred by the host state resulting from the development, construction, operation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility.
i. A host state shall accept waste for disposal for a period of 20 years from the date the compact facility in the host state becomes operational, or until its capacity has been reached, whichever occurs first. At any time before the compact facility closes, the host state and the Commission may enter into an agreement to extend the period during which the host state is required to accept such waste or to increase the capacity of the compact facility. Except as specifically authorized by article VI.l.4. of this compact, the 20-year period shall not be extended, and the capacity of the facility shall not be increased, without the consent of the affected host state and the Commission.
j. A host state shall establish a system of fees to be collected from the users of any compact facility within its borders. The fee system, and the costs paid through the system, shall be reasonable and equitable. The fee system shall be subject to the Commission's approval. The fee system shall provide the host state with sufficient revenue to pay costs associated with the compact facility, including, but not limited to, the operation, closing, long-term care, debt service, legal costs, local impact assistance, and local financial incentives. The fee system also shall be used to collect the surcharge provided in article III.j.2. of this compact. The fee system shall include incentives for source reduction and shall be based on the hazard of the waste as well as the volume.
k. A host state shall ensure that a compact facility located within its borders that is permanently closed is properly cared for so as to ensure protection of air, land, and water resources and the health and safety of all people who may be affected by the facility.
a. Within three years, enact legislation providing for the development of the next compact facility;
b. Within seven years, initiate site characterization investigations and tests to determine licensing suitability for the next compact facility; and
3. Within 14 years after any compact facility begins operating, the state designated to host the next compact facility shall have obtained a license from the responsible licensing authority to construct and operate the compact facility the state has been designated to host. If the license is not obtained within the specified time, all waste generated by any person within the state designated to host the next compact facility shall be denied access to the then operating compact facility, and to any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, until the license is obtained. The state designated to host the next compact facility shall have failed in its obligations as a host state and shall be subject to articles VI.d. and VIII.d. of this compact. In addition, at the sole option of the host state of the then operating compact facility, all waste generated by any person within any party state that has not fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact, shall be denied access to the then operating compact facility, and to any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, until the license is obtained. Denial of access may be rescinded by the Commission, with the member from the host state of the then operating compact facility voting in the affirmative.
4. If, 20 years after a compact facility begins operating, the next compact facility is not ready to begin operating, the state designated to host the next compact facility shall have failed in its obligation as a host state and shall be subject to articles VI.d. and VIII.d. of this compact. If, at the time the capacity of the then operating compact facility has been reached, or 20 years after the facility began operating, whichever occurs first, the next compact facility is not ready to begin operating, the host state of the then operating compact facility, without the consent of any other party state or the Commission, may continue to operate the facility until a compact facility in the next host state is ready to begin operating. During any such period of continued operation of a compact facility, all waste generated by any person within the state designated to host the next compact facility shall be denied access to the then operating compact facility and to any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact. In addition, during such period, at the sole option of the host state of the then operating compact facility, all waste generated by any person within any party state that has not fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact, shall be denied access to the then operating compact facility and to any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact. Denial of access may be rescinded by the Commission, with the member from the host state of the then operating compact facility voting in the affirmative. The provisions of article VI.l.4. of this compact, shall not apply if their application is inconsistent with an agreement between the host state of the then operating compact facility and the Commission as authorized in article VI.i. of this compact, or inconsistent with article VI.p. or q. of this compact.
5. During any period that access is denied for waste disposal pursuant to article VI.l.2., 3., or 4. of this compact, the party state designated to host the next compact disposal facility shall pay to the host state of the then operating compact facility an amount the Commission determines is reasonably necessary to ensure that the host state, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, does not incur financial loss as a result of the denial of access.
6. The Commission may modify any of the requirements contained in articles VI.l.2. and 3. of this compact, if it finds that circumstances have changed so that the requirements are unworkable or unnecessarily rigid or no longer serve to ensure the timely development of a compact facility. The Commission may adopt such a finding by a two-thirds vote, with the member from the host state of the then operating compact facility voting in the affirmative.
m. This compact shall not prevent an emergency closing of a compact facility by a host state to protect air, land and water resources and the health and safety of all people who may be affected by the facility. A host state that has an emergency closing of a compact facility shall notify the Commission in writing within three working days of its action and shall, within 30 working days of its action, demonstrate justification for the closing.
n. A party state that has fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact, shall not again be designated a host state of a compact facility without its consent until each party state has been designated to host a compact facility and has fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact, or has been relieved under article VI.e. of this compact, of its responsibility to serve as a host state.
o. Each host state of a compact facility shall establish a long-term care fund to pay for monitoring, security, maintenance, and repair of the facility after it is permanently closed. The expenses of administering the long-term care fund shall be paid out of the fund. The fee system established by the host state that establishes a long-term care fund shall be used to collect moneys in amounts that are adequate to pay for all long-term care of the compact facility. The moneys shall be deposited into the long-term care fund. Except where the matter is resolved through arbitration, the amount to be collected through the fee system for deposit into the fund shall be determined through an agreement between the Commission and the host state establishing the fund. Not less than three years, nor more than five years, before the compact facility it is designated to host is scheduled to begin operating, the host state shall propose to the Commission the amount to be collected through the fee system for deposit into the fund. If, 180 days after such proposal is made to the Commission, the host state and the Commission have not agreed, either the Commission or the host state may require the matter to be decided through binding arbitration. The method of administration of the fund shall be determined by the host state establishing the long-term care fund, provided that moneys in the fund shall be used only for the purposes set forth in article VI.o. of this compact, and shall be invested in accordance with the standards applicable to trustees under the laws of the host state establishing the fund. If, after a compact facility is closed, the Commission determines the long-term care fund established with respect to that facility is not adequate to pay for all long-term care for that facility, the Commission shall collect and pay over to the host state of the closed facility, for deposit into the long-term care fund, an amount determined by the Commission to be necessary to make the amount in the fund adequate to pay for all long-term care of the facility. If a long-term care fund is exhausted and long-term care expenses for the facility with respect to which the fund was created have been reasonably incurred by the host state of the facility, those expenses are a liability with respect to which generators shall provide indemnification as provided in article VII.g. of this compact. Generators that provide indemnification shall have contribution rights as provided in article VII.g. of this compact.
1. The host state shall pay to the other party states the portion of the funds provided to that state by the Commission for the development, construction, operation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility that is fair and equitable, taking into consideration the period of time the compact facility located in that state was in operation and the amount of waste disposed of at the facility, provided that a host state that has fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact shall not be required to make such payment;
3. The host state shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party states from all costs, liabilities, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, caused by operating the facility after this compact is dissolved, provided that this indemnification and hold harmless obligation shall not apply to costs, liabilities, and expenses resulting from the activities of a host state as a generator of waste;
4. Moneys in the long-term care fund established by the host state that are attributable to the operation of the facility before this compact is dissolved, and investment earnings thereon, shall be used only to pay the cost of monitoring, securing, maintaining, or repairing that portion of the facility used for the disposal of waste before this compact is dissolved. Such moneys and investment earnings, and any moneys added to the long-term care fund through a distribution authorized by article III.r. of this compact, also may be used to pay the cost of any remedial action made necessary by an event resulting from the disposal of waste at the facility before this compact is dissolved.
1. Any cost of a remedial action described in article III.p. of this compact, that, due to inadequacy of the remedial action fund, is not paid as set forth in that provision;
2. Any expense for long-term care described in article VI.o. of this compact, that, due to exhaustion of the long-term care fund, is not paid as set forth in that provision;
3. Any liability for damages to persons, property, or the environment incurred by a party state, or employee of that state while acting within the scope of employment, resulting from the development, construction, operation, regulation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility, or any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, or any other matter arising from this compact. The agreement also shall require generators to indemnify the party state or employee against all reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred in defending any action for such damages. This indemnification shall not extend to liability based on any of the following:
a. The activities of the party states as generators of waste;
b. The obligations of the party states to each other and the Commission imposed by this compact or other contracts related to the disposal of waste under this compact; or
The agreement shall provide that the indemnification obligation of generators shall be joint and several, except that the indemnification obligation of the party states with respect to their activities as generators of waste shall not be joint and several, but instead shall be prorated according to the amount of waste that each state had disposed of at the compact facility giving rise to the liability. Such proration shall be calculated as of the date of the event giving rise to the liability. The agreement shall be in a form approved by the Commission with the member from the host state of any then operating compact facility voting in the affirmative. Among generators there shall be rights of contribution based on equitable principles, and generators shall have rights of contribution against any other person responsible for such damages under common law, statute, rule, or regulation, provided that a party state that through its own activities did not generate any waste disposed of at the compact facility giving rise to the liability, an employee of such a party state, and the Commission shall have no such contribution obligation. The Commission may waive the requirement that the party state sign and file such an indemnification agreement as a condition to being able to dispose of waste generated as a result of the party state's activities. Such a waiver shall not relieve a party state of the indemnification obligation imposed by article VII.g. of this compact.
6. Affects the generation, treatment, storage, or disposal of waste generated by the atomic energy defense activities of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy or successor agencies or federal research and development activities as described in section 31 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (United States Code, title 42, section 2051); or
8. Requires a party state to enter into any agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; or
9. Limits, expands, or otherwise affects the authority of a state to regulate low-level radioactive waste classified by any agency of the United States government as "below regulatory concern" or otherwise exempt from federal regulation.
c. Except as authorized by this compact, no law, rule, or regulation of a party state or of any of its subdivisions or instrumentalities may be applied in a manner which discriminates against the generators of another party state.
d. Except as provided in articles III.m. and VII.f. of this compact, no provision of this compact shall be construed to eliminate or reduce in any way the liability or responsibility, whether arising under common law, statute, rule, or regulation, of any person for penalties, fines, or damages to persons, property, or the environment resulting from the development, construction, operation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility, or any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, or any other matter arising from this compact. The provisions of this compact shall not alter otherwise applicable laws relating to compensation of employees for workplace injuries.
e. Except as provided in United States Code, title 28, section 1251(a), the district courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction to decide cases arising under this compact. Article VII.e. of this compact does not apply to proceedings within the jurisdiction of state or federal regulatory agencies nor to judicial review of proceedings before state or federal regulatory agencies. Article VII.e. of this compact shall not be construed to diminish other laws of the United States conferring jurisdiction on the courts of the United States.
1. A party state or employee thereof, while acting within the scope of employment, shall not be subject to suit or held liable for damages to persons, property, or the environment resulting from the development, construction, operation, regulation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility, or any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact. This applies whether the claimed liability of the party state or employee is based on common law, statute, rule, or regulation.
2. The sovereign immunity granted in article VII.f.1. of this compact, does not apply to any of the following:
b. Actions based on the obligations of the party states to each other and the Commission imposed by this compact, or other contracts related to the disposal of waste under this compact. With regard to those actions, the party states shall have no sovereign immunity.
g. If in any action described in article VII.f.1., and not described in article VII.f.2. of this compact, it is determined that, notwithstanding article VII.f.1. of this compact, a party state, or employee of that state who acted within the scope of employment, is liable for damages or has liability for other matters arising under this compact as described in article VI.s.3. of this compact, the generators who caused waste to be placed at the compact facility with respect to which the liability was incurred shall indemnify the party state or employee against that liability. Those generators also shall indemnify the party state or employee against all reasonable attorney's fees and expenses incurred in defending against any such action. The indemnification obligation of generators under article VII.g. of this compact, shall be joint and several, except that the indemnification obligation of party states with respect to their activities as generators of waste shall not be joint and several, but instead shall be prorated according to the amount of waste each state has disposed of at the compact facility giving rise to the liability. Among generators, there shall be rights of contribution based upon equitable principles, and generators shall have rights of contribution against any other person responsible for such damages under common law, statute, rule, or regulation. A party state that through its own activities did not generate any waste disposed of at the compact facility giving rise to the liability, an employee of such a party state, and the Commission shall have no contribution obligation under article VII.g. of this compact. Article VII.g. of this compact shall not be construed as a waiver of the sovereign immunity provided for in article VII.f.1. of this compact.
h. The sovereign immunity of a party state provided for in article VII.f.1. of this compact, shall not be extended to any private contractor assigned responsibilities as authorized in article VI.g. of this compact.
ARTICLE VIII. ELIGIBLE PARTIES, WITHDRAWAL, REVOCATION,
SUSPENSION OF ACCESS, ENTRY INTO FORCE, AND TERMINATION
b. The Commission is formed upon the appointment of Commission members and the tender of the membership fee payable to the Commission by three party states. The Governor of the first state to enact this compact shall convene the initial meeting of the Commission. The Commission shall cause legislation to be introduced in the Congress which grants the consent of the Congress to this compact, and shall take action necessary to organize the Commission and implement the provisions of this compact.
c. A party state that has fully discharged its obligations under article VI.i. of this compact, or has been relieved under article VI.e. of this compact, of its responsibilities to serve as a host state, may withdraw from this compact by repealing the authorizing legislation and by receiving the unanimous consent of the Commission. Withdrawal takes effect on the date specified in the Commission resolution consenting to withdrawal. All legal rights of the withdrawn state established under this compact, including, but not limited to, the right to have waste generated within its borders disposed of at compact facilities, cease upon the effective date of withdrawal, but any legal obligations of that party state under this compact, including, but not limited to, those set forth in article VIII.e. of this compact, continue until they are fulfilled.
d. Any party state that fails to comply with the terms of this compact or fails to fulfill its obligations may have reasonable financial penalties imposed against it, the right to have waste generated within its borders disposed of at compact facilities, or any noncompact facility made available to the region by any agreement entered into by the Commission pursuant to article III.h.6. of this compact, suspended, or its membership in the compact revoked by a two-thirds vote of the Commission, provided that the membership of the party state designated to host the next compact facility shall not be revoked unless the member from the host state of any then operating compact facility votes in the affirmative. Revocation takes effect on the date specified in the resolution revoking the party state's membership. All legal rights of the revoked party state established under this compact, including, but not limited to, the right to have waste generated within its borders disposed of at compact facilities, cease upon the effective date of revocation, but any legal obligations of that party state under this compact, including, but not limited to, those set forth in article VIII.e. of this compact, continue until they are fulfilled. The chairperson of the Commission shall transmit written notice of a revocation of a party state's membership in the compact, suspension of a party state's waste disposal rights, or imposition of financial penalties immediately following the vote of the Commission to the governor of the affected party state, governors of all the other party states, and the Congress of the United States.
e. A party state that withdraws from this compact or has its membership in the compact revoked before it has fully discharged its obligations under article VI of this compact forthwith shall repay to the Commission the portion of the funds provided to that state by the Commission for the development, construction, operation, closing, or long-term care of a compact facility that the Commission determines is fair and equitable, taking into consideration the period of time the compact facility located in that host state was in operation and the amount of waste disposed of at the facility. If at any time after a compact facility begins operating, a party state withdraws from the compact or has its membership revoked, the withdrawing or revoked party state shall be obligated forthwith to pay to the Commission the amount the Commission determines would have been paid under the fee system established by the host state of the facility to dispose of at the facility the estimated volume of waste generated in the withdrawing or revoked party state that would have been disposed of at the facility from the time of withdrawal or revocation until the time the facility is closed. Any funds so paid to the Commission shall be distributed by the Commission to the persons who would have been entitled to receive the funds had they originally been paid to dispose of waste at the facility. Any person receiving such funds from the Commission shall apply the funds to the purposes to which they would have been applied had they originally been paid to dispose of waste at the compact facility. In addition, a withdrawing or revoked party state forthwith shall pay to the Commission an amount the Commission determines to be necessary to cover all other costs and damages incurred by the Commission and the remaining party states as a result of the withdrawal or revocation. The intention of article VIII.e. of this compact is to eliminate any decrease in revenue resulting from withdrawal of a party state or revocation of a party state's membership, to eliminate financial harm to the remaining party states, and to create an incentive for party states to continue as members of the compact and to fulfill their obligations. Article VIII.e. of this compact shall be construed and applied so as to effectuate this intention.
g. This compact becomes effective upon enactment by at least three eligible states and consent to this compact by the Congress. The consent given to this compact by the Congress shall extend to any future admittance of new party states and to the power of the Commission to regulate the shipment and disposal of waste and disposal of naturally occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive material pursuant to this compact. Amendments to this compact are effective when enacted by all party states and, if necessary, consented to by the Congress. To the extent required by section (4)(d) of "The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985," every five years after this compact has taken effect, the Congress by law may withdraw its consent.
h. The withdrawal of a party state from this compact, the suspension of waste disposal rights, the termination of a party state's designation as a host state, or the suspension or revocation of a state's membership in this compact does not affect the applicability of this compact to the remaining party states.
2. Through withdrawal of consent to this compact by the Congress under Article I, Section 10, of the United States Constitution, in which case dissolution shall take place 120 days after the effective date of the withdrawal of consent.
Unless explicitly abrogated by the state legislation dissolving this compact, or if dissolution results from withdrawal of Congressional consent, the limitations of the investment and use of long-term care funds in articles VI.o. and VI.q.4. of this compact, the contractual obligations in article V.f. of this compact, the indemnification obligations and contribution rights in articles VI.o., VI.s., and VII.g. of this compact, and the operation rights and indemnification and hold harmless obligations in article VI.q. of this compact, shall remain in force notwithstanding dissolution of this compact.
c. The Commission, an affected party state, or both, may obtain injunctive relief, recover damages, or both, to prevent or remedy violations of this compact.
d. Each party state acknowledges that the transport into a host state of waste packaged or transported in violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations may result in the imposition of sanctions by the host state which may include reasonable financial penalties assessed against any generator, transporter, or collector responsible for the violation, or suspension or revocation of access to the compact facility in the host state by any generator, transporter, or collector responsible for the violation.
f. This compact shall not be construed to create any cause of action for any person other than a party state or the Commission. Nothing in article IX.f. of this compact, shall limit the right of judicial review set forth in article III.n.3. of this compact, or the rights of contribution set forth in articles III.p., VI.o., VI.s., and VII.g. of this compact.
1983 c 353 s 1; 1996 c 428 s 1
Subdivision 1.Terms defined in compact.
The terms defined in article II of the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact have the meanings given them for the purposes of sections 116C.833 to 116C.849.
[Repealed, 1996 c 428 s 14]
Subd. 5.Compact.
"Compact" means the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact.
Subd. 5a.Committee.
"Committee" means the Facility Siting Policy Development Committee established under section 116C.842.
Subd. 6.Interstate Commission.
"Interstate Commission" means the Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission.
1983 c 353 s 2; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1987 c 311 s 1-3; 1996 c 428 s 2,3
The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall serve as Minnesota's voting member of the Interstate Commission. The commissioner shall tender the state's membership fee to the Interstate Commission by August 1, 1983, or, if the commission has not come into existence by August 1, 1983, when the first meeting of the commission is convened as provided in the compact.
Subd. 2.Biennial report.
In addition to other duties specified in sections 116C.833 to 116C.843, the commissioner shall report by January 31, 1997, and biennially thereafter, to the governor and the legislature concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission. The report shall include any recommendations the commissioner deems necessary to assure the protection of the interest of the state in the proper functioning of the compact. The commissioner also shall report to the governor and the legislature any time there is a change in the status of a host state or other party states in the compact.
1983 c 353 s 3; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1996 c 428 s 4
Subdivision 1.Costs.
All costs incurred by the state to carry out its responsibilities under the compact and under sections 116C.833 to 116C.843 shall be paid by generators of low-level radioactive waste in this state through fees assessed by the Pollution Control Agency. Fees may be reasonably assessed on the basis of volume or degree of hazard of the waste produced by a generator. Costs for which fees may be assessed include, but are not limited to:
(1) the state contribution required to join the compact;
(2) the expenses of the commission member and state agency costs incurred to support the work of the Interstate Commission; and
(3) regulatory costs.
The fees are exempt from section 16A.1285.
Subd. 1a.State liabilities.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require generators of low-level radioactive waste to pay any financial obligation of the state arising under article V, section f.; article VI, section e. or l.5.; or article VIII, section d., e., or f. of the compact.
Subd. 2.Collection and deposit.
Fees assessed under subdivision 1 shall be collected by the commissioner of revenue. All money received pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the environmental fund.
1983 c 353 s 4; 1987 c 311 s 4; 1996 c 305 art 3 s 19; 1996 c 428 s 5,6; 1997 c 216 s 119; 1999 c 250 art 3 s 20; 2003 c 128 art 2 s 41
Any person who willfully or negligently violates any provision of the compact upon conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is subject to a fine of not more than $2,500 in the event of a willful violation or not more than $300 in the event of a negligent violation. A second conviction of the same provision after a first conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $50,000, or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
Any person who knowingly fails to provide information requested under section 116C.840 or who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification of any information requested under section 116C.840 is subject to a fine of not more than $20,000, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Any person who violates any provision of the compact or of section 116C.834 or 116C.840 shall forfeit and pay to the state a penalty, in an amount to be determined by the court, of not more than $10,000 per day of violation. The civil penalties provided in this subdivision may be recovered by a civil action brought by the attorney general in the name of the state.
Any violation of the provisions of the compact may be enjoined as provided by law in an action, in the name of the state, brought by the attorney general.
Subd. 4.Action to compel performance.
In any action to compel performance of an obligation created by the compact the court may require any person who is adjudged responsible to do and perform any and all acts and things within that person's power which are reasonably necessary to fulfill the obligation.
Subd. 5.Recovery of litigation costs and expenses.
In any action brought by the attorney general, in the name of the state for civil penalties, injunctive relief, or in an action to compel compliance, if the state prevails and if the violation was willful, the state, in addition to other penalties provided in this section, may be allowed an amount determined by the court to be the reasonable value of all or a part of the litigation expenses incurred by the state. All amounts recovered by the state under the provisions of subdivisions 1 to 5 shall be deposited in the general fund.
Subd. 6.Effect on state.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit any action or remedy against the state for violation of any provision of the compact. The sole remedies for such a violation are those provided in the compact.
1983 c 353 s 5; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11; 1986 c 444; 1996 c 428 s 7
Subdivision 1.Enforcement of commission decisions.
A final decision of the Interstate Commission in any matter within its jurisdiction may be enforced by the attorney general in the name of the state in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Subd. 2.Proceedings against party state or commission.
The attorney general, in the name of the state, may:
(1) initiate a proceeding against another party state as provided in article IX, section e. of the compact, and may appeal decisions of the Interstate Commission as provided in article III, section n.; or
(2) initiate a proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to review an action or decision of the Interstate Commission, or to require the commission to act or refrain from acting under the terms of the compact in any matter affecting the interest of the state.
1983 c 353 s 6; 1996 c 428 s 8
Except as otherwise provided in section 116C.842, subdivision 4, it is the intent of this state as a party to the compact to apply and enforce its laws and rules relating to environmental review, siting of facilities, and protection of the environment and public health with respect to the location, construction, and regulation of any regional low-level radioactive waste facility in this state.
1983 c 353 s 8
Any generators of low-level radioactive waste and any person engaged in transporting or disposing of low-level radioactive waste, when requested by the agency or any member, employee, or agent thereof who is authorized by the agency, shall furnish information needed by the agency to carry out its responsibilities under the compact and under sections 116C.833 to 116C.843.
Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, data obtained from any person pursuant to subdivision 1 is public data as defined in section 13.02. Upon certification by the generator that the data relates to sales figures, processes, or methods of production unique to that person, or information which would tend to affect adversely the competitive position of that person, the agency shall classify the data as nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02. The agency may disclose data classified as nonpublic under this subdivision to the Interstate Commission, when relevant in any proceeding under section 116C.835, or when necessary to carry out its responsibilities under sections 116C.833 to 116C.843.
1983 c 353 s 10
Subd. 1a.Facility Siting Policy Development Committee.
Following Minnesota's designation as a host state by the Interstate Commission, and within 60 days after a compact facility located in the host state immediately preceding Minnesota begins operation, the governor shall, in consultation with the commissioner, establish and appoint the membership of a Facility Siting Policy Development Committee. The committee shall study the issues relevant to developing a facility and make recommendations concerning appropriate facility siting criteria and development requirements. The committee shall number no more than 12 voting members, at least eight of whom shall be individuals with expertise in a range of scientific disciplines relevant to site development. The committee shall include at least one representative each from local government and generators of low-level radioactive waste, and two representatives from public interest groups. In addition, the Environmental Quality Board, the Minnesota Geological Survey, the Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Health, and the agency shall have nonvoting membership on the committee and shall provide information and technical assistance to the committee as needed. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature no later than one year following the establishment of the committee.
Subd. 2a.Administration.
The Environmental Quality Board shall provide administrative assistance to the committee.
The citizen members of the committee shall be compensated as provided in section 15.0575.
Subd. 3b.Termination.
The committee is terminated upon reporting its recommendations to the governor and legislature in accordance with subdivision 1a.
Subd. 4.Certain law not applicable.
In the event that Minnesota is designated by the Interstate Commission to be a host state for a regional low-level radioactive waste facility, the provisions of sections 116C.71 to 116C.74 shall not apply to the authorization or siting of that facility, or transportation of wastes to that facility.
1983 c 353 s 12; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1987 c 311 s 5; 1996 c 428 s 9-12
In the event that congressional consent to the compact carries with it conditions that materially change the provisions agreed to by the party states, the state reserves the option to terminate further participation in the compact.
1983 c 353 s 13
In making its facility siting policy recommendations to the governor and the legislature, the committee shall consider health, safety, and environmental protection above all other siting criteria.
1996 c 428 s 13
Subdivision 1.State coordinating organization.
The Environmental Quality Board is designated the state coordinating organization for state and federal regulatory activities relating to genetically engineered organisms.
Subd. 2.Notice of nationwide action.
The board shall notify interested parties if a permit to release genetically engineered wild rice is issued anywhere in the United States. For purposes of this subdivision, "interested parties" means:
(1) the state's wild rice industry;
(2) the legislature;
(3) federally recognized tribes within Minnesota; and
(4) individuals who request to be notified.
1989 c 346 s 3; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 140
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), the board shall adopt rules consistent with sections 116C.91 to 116C.96 that require an environmental assessment worksheet and otherwise comply with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it for a proposed release and a permit for a release. The board may place conditions on a permit and may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit.
(b) The board shall adopt rules that require an environmental impact statement and otherwise comply with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it for a proposed release and a permit for a release of genetically engineered wild rice. The board may place conditions on the permit and may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke the permit.
Subd. 2.Significant environmental permit.
The rules shall provide that the board shall authorize an agency with a significant environmental permit to administer the regulatory oversight for the release of certain genetically engineered organisms.
Subd. 3.Commercialization.
The board may adopt rules providing exemptions to the requirements to prepare an environmental assessment worksheet and obtain a permit for releases of genetically engineered organisms for which substantial evidence from past releases has shown to the board's satisfaction that the organism can be released without jeopardizing public health or the environment.
Subd. 4.Alternative regulatory oversight.
The board may adopt rules providing alternative regulatory oversight to the requirements to prepare an environmental assessment worksheet and obtain a permit for releases of genetically engineered organisms for which substantial evidence from past experience, including releases and laboratory data, has shown to the board's satisfaction that the alternative oversight will protect public health and the environment.
Subd. 5.Rules; federal oversight.
The board may adopt rules to implement the authorities granted to it in section 116C.97, subdivision 2.
The board shall consult with local units of government and with private citizens before adopting any rules.
1989 c 346 s 5; 1991 c 250 s 29; 1994 c 454 s 10; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 141
Rules established by the board under section 116C.94 shall not affect liability under any other law or regulation for adverse effects resulting from activities relating to genetically engineered organisms.
1989 c 346 s 6
The board shall assess the proposer of a release for the necessary and reasonable costs of processing exemptions from a release permit under rules authorized by sections 116C.94, subdivisions 1, 3, and 4, and 116C.97, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), or applications for a release permit. An estimated budget shall be prepared for each exemption or application by the chair of the board. The proposer must remit 25 percent of the estimated budget within 14 days of the receipt of the estimated budget from the chair. The unpaid balance shall be billed in periodic installments, due upon receipt of an invoice from the chair. Costs in excess of the estimated budget must be certified by the board and upon certification constitute prima facie evidence that the expenses are reasonable and necessary and shall be charged to the proposer. The proposer may review all actual costs and present objections to the board, which may modify the cost or determine that the cost assessed is reasonable. The assessment paid by the proposer shall not exceed the sum of the costs incurred. All money received under this section shall be deposited in the special account established under section 116D.045, subdivision 3, for the purpose of paying costs incurred in processing exemptions and applications.
1991 c 250 s 30; 1994 c 454 s 11
Subdivision 1.Human gene therapy.
The requirements of sections 116C.91 to 116C.96 and of the rules of the board adopted pursuant to section 116C.94 do not apply to genetic engineering of human germ cells and human somatic cells intended for use in human gene therapy.
Subd. 2.Federal oversight.
(a) If the board determines, upon its own volition or at the request of any person, that a federal program exists for regulating the release of certain genetically engineered organisms and the federal oversight under the program is adequate to protect human health or the environment, then any person may release such genetically engineered organisms after obtaining the necessary federal approval and without obtaining a state release permit or a significant environmental permit or complying with the other requirements of sections 116C.91 to 116C.96 and the rules of the board adopted pursuant to section 116C.94.
(b) If the board determines the federal program is adequate to meet only certain requirements of sections 116C.91 to 116C.96 and the rules of the board adopted pursuant to section 116C.94, the board may exempt such releases from those requirements.
(c) A person proposing a release for which a federal authorization is required may apply to the board for an exemption from the board's permit or to a state agency with a significant environmental permit for the proposed release for an exemption from the agency's permit. The proposer must file with the board or state agency a written request for exemption with a copy of the federal application and the information necessary to determine if there is a potential for significant environmental effects under chapter 116D and rules adopted under it. The board or state agency shall give public notice of the request in the first available issue of the EQB Monitor and shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the environmental review process consistent with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it. The board or state agency may grant the exemption if the board or state agency finds that the federal authorization issued is adequate to meet the requirements of chapter 116D and rules adopted under it and any other requirement of the board's or state agency's authority regarding the release of genetically engineered organisms. The board or state agency must grant or deny the exemption within 45 days after the receipt of the written request and the information required by the board or state agency.
(d) This subdivision does not apply to genetically engineered organisms for which an environmental impact statement is required under sections 116C.91 to 116C.96.
1994 c 454 s 12; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 142