2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 16a - Planning and Energy Policy › Chapter 298a - Atomic Energy › Section 16a-100. (Formerly Sec. 19-404). - Declaration of policy.

(a) The state of Connecticut endorses the action of the Congress of the United States in enacting the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to institute a program to encourage the widespread participation in the development and utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes to the maximum extent consistent with the common defense and security and with the health and safety of the public; and therefore declares the policy of the state to be (1) to cooperate actively in the program thus instituted; (2) to develop programs for the control of ionizing and nonionizing radiation compatible with federal programs for regulation of by-product, source and special nuclear material; and (3) to the extent that the regulation of special nuclear materials and by-product materials, of production facilities and utilization facilities and of persons operating such facilities may be within the jurisdiction of the state, to provide for the exercise of the state's regulatory authority so as to conform, as nearly as may be, to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and regulations issued thereunder, to the end that there may, in effect, be a single harmonious system of regulation within the state.
(b) The state of Connecticut recognizes that the development of industries producing or utilizing atomic energy may result in new conditions calling for changes in the laws of the state and in regulations issued thereunder with respect to health and safety, working conditions, workers' compensation, transportation, public utilities, life, health, accident, fire and casualty insurance, the conservation of natural resources, including wildlife, and the protection of streams, rivers and airspace from pollution, and therefore declares the policy of the state to be (1) to adapt its laws and regulations to meet the new conditions in ways that will encourage the healthy development of industries producing or utilizing atomic energy while at the same time protecting the public interest; (2) to initiate continuing studies of the need for changes in the relevant laws and regulations of the state by the respective agencies of the state which are responsible for their administration; (3) to assure the coordination of the studies thus undertaken, particularly with other atomic industrial development activities of the state and with the development and regulatory activities of other states and of the government of the United States; and (4) to cooperate with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the states in promoting the uniformity of radiation laws and regulations, the administration and enforcement of such laws and regulations.
(June, 1955, S. 1933d; P.A. 79-376, S. 25; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 49.)
History: P.A. 79-376 replaced “workmen's compensation” with “workers' compensation” in Subsec. (b); Sec. 19-404 transferred to Sec. 16a-100 in 1983; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding new Subdiv. (2) re developing programs for the control of ionizing and nonionizing radiation and redesignated existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (3), and amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (4) re cooperating with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in promoting uniformity, administration and enforcement of radiation laws and regulations.