2007 California Health and Safety Code Chapter 9. Nuclear Powerplant Radiation

CA Codes (hsc:115275-115295)

115275.  It is the intent of the Legislature that in the event of a
nuclear accident timely and effective communications between the
operators of nuclear powerplants in California and those state and
local officials charged with nuclear emergency response activities be
assured.



115280.  (a) Each privately-owned and publicly-owned public utility
operating a nuclear powerplant with a generating capacity of 50
megawatts or more shall install an automated alert system that will
activate alarms in the California State Warning Center of the Office
of Emergency Services in a manner to be determined by the Office of
Emergency Services in consultation with the department and the
appropriate county emergency services  agency.  This automated alert
system shall duplicate the following alarms in the control rooms of
each nuclear powerplant:
   (1) Safety injection actuation (operation of the emergency core
cooling system).
   (2) High radiation alarm of the radioactive gas effluent stack
monitor.
   (b) The automated alert system shall be operative within 12 months
of the effective date of this chapter.
   (c) In no event shall the capital costs of complying with this
section exceed two hundred thousand dollars (0,000) per nuclear
powerplant.  The operator of each nuclear powerplant shall be
responsible for any maintenance or recurring charges.  The funds
expended by privately owned utilities under this section shall be
allowed for ratemaking purposes by the Public Utilities Commission.
Publicly owned public utilities shall include funds expended under
this section in their rates.
   (d) The automated alert system shall be operational whenever
corresponding alarms in the control rooms of each nuclear powerplant
are required to be operational under the terms of the operating
license issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, except for
periods of time required for maintenance, repair, calibration, or
testing.
   (e) Nothing in this section shall require plant modifications or
the conduct of operations that may be in conflict with conditions of
a license to operate issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or
other activities authorized by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
   (f) The Office of Emergency Services shall make provision for
immediate notification of appropriate local officials upon activation
of the automated alert system pursuant to this section.



115285.  Nothing in this chapter shall relieve nuclear powerplant
operators of their responsibilities to notify local authorities as
otherwise provided by law.



115290.  Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter shall
not constitute the basis for an action in a court of law or
administrative proceeding to enjoin or prevent the operation or
start-up of a nuclear facility.


115295.  If the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station is not in
operation on the effective date of this section, the local emergency
plan for it shall not be required to meet the revised emergency
response plan requirements of Section 8610.5 of the Government Code
until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determines that the
powerplant meets Nuclear Regulatory Commission seismic safety
criteria, or until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues an order
rescinding the restrictions imposed on the Humboldt Bay Nuclear
Generating Station in its order of May 21, 1976.
   In the event that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determines
that the Humboldt Bay Nuclear Generating Station meets Nuclear
Regulatory Commission seismic safety standards, or issues an order
rescinding the restrictions in its order of May 21, 1976, a draft
county emergency plan meeting the requirements of Section 8610.5 of
the Government Code shall be submitted to the Office of Emergency
Services for review within 180 days of the determination or
rescission.  Within 90 days after submission of the draft county
emergency plan, approval of a final plan shall be completed by the
Office of Emergency Services.