Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) The Board shall initiate the site selection process established in M.G.L. c. 111H, §§ 18 through 23, if it determines, by a _ vote of its members, that it is necessary and appropriate to proceed with site selection. Such vote may be taken only if:
(a) the Board has adopted a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Plan incorporating a finding that there is a requirement for additional facility capacity to meet present needs or needs anticipated to arise within the next decade;
(b) DPH has adopted regulations, under M.G.L. c. 111H, § 13, necessary to implement a program for source minimization, volume minimization, and storage for decay by generators;
(c) DEP has adopted regulations, under M.G.L. c. 111H, § 14, establishing criteria for the selection of any superior site for the development and operation of a facility, guidelines for their application, and procedures for implementing the site selection process;
(d) the Board has adopted regulations, under M.G.L. c. 111H, § 15, for the selection of operators; and
(e) DPH has adopted regulations, under M.G.L. c. 111H, § 16, for the licensing, development, operation, closure, post-closure observation and maintenance and institutional control of a facility.
(2) No less than 21 days prior to a vote to initiate site selection pursuant to M.G.L. c. 111H, § 17, the Board shall issue a notice, satisfying the requirements of M.G.L. c. 30A, § 2, of its intent to conduct such vote.
(3) Upon the Board's vote to initiate site selection:
(a) The Board shall notify the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Elected Official of each community of the commencement of the site selection process, explaining in detail the site selection criteria, guidelines for their application and procedures for implementation of site selection, and offering the resources of the Board and the Public Participation Coordinator to assist communities in participating in the site selection process.
(b) The Board shall notify other states interested in negotiating the possibility of their generators' gaining access to a Massachusetts facility.
(c) The Board shall send press releases to pertinent newspapers, radio and television stations, and include an explanation of the public's role in waste management.
(d) The Public Participation Coordinator and other Board staff shall be available to attend meetings, conduct workshops, brief federal and state legislators and local officials, and generally to speak to interested groups about the siting process, to provide information, to answer questions, and to listen to concerns of the public.
(4) Upon voting to initiate site selection, the Board, with the assistance of the Public Participation Coordinator, shall prepare a siting plan, identifying the major decision points in the state's siting process, and summarizing the roles of responsible state agencies and potential site communities.
(5) The Board shall hire consultants, as necessary, to complete the site selection process.
