2020 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 30 - Minerals, Oil, and Gas and Environmental Quality
§2104. Radiation protection; secretary of environmental quality; powers and duties

RS 2104 - Radiation protection; secretary of environmental quality; powers and duties

A. The department shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To prepare and develop a general plan for the proper control of nuclear energy and all sources of radiation within the state of Louisiana, including by-product, source, and special nuclear material; technologically enhanced natural radioactive material; and other naturally occurring and artificially produced radionuclides.

(2) To make investigations upon its own motion or upon the complaint of any person and by appropriate order to control or regulate any source of radiation within the state.

(3) To establish programs to promote an orderly regulatory pattern within this state, to establish a system of reciprocity between this state and other states and between the federal government and this state, and to facilitate intergovernmental cooperation with respect to the use and regulation of sources of radiation, to the end that duplication of regulation may be minimized.

(4) Unless otherwise specifically prohibited, to enter into agreements with the federal government or any agency thereof to assume regulatory authority over any area not exclusively reserved to the federal government under federal law.

(5) To formulate, establish, and implement comprehensive policies for the control of radiation and to develop and conduct programs for the evaluation, determination, and amelioration of hazards associated with the use of sources of radiation.

(6) To issue, modify, or revoke orders prohibiting or abating the discharge of radioactive material or waste into the ground, air, or waters of the state in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and rules and regulations adopted hereunder by the secretary.

(7) To require the submission of plans, specifications, and reports for new construction and material alterations on the design and protective shielding of installations for radioactive material and other sources of radiation and systems for the disposal of radioactive waste materials, and for the determination of any hazard from radiation and to approve or disapprove such plans and specifications.

(8) To render opinions to interested persons concerning such plans and specifications on the design and shielding for radiation sources as may be submitted, either before or after construction, for the purpose of determining the possible radiation hazard.

(9) To make inspections of radiation sources, shielding, and immediate surroundings for the determination of any possible radiation hazard, and to provide the owner, user, or operator thereof with a report of any known or suspected deficiencies.

(10) To review developments in the nuclear energy and radiation fields, including research and applications in such general areas as commerce and industry, medicine and public health, agriculture, civil defense, engineering, insurance, education, and other areas.

(11) To formulate, establish, and implement policies and programs which are advantageous to the general population, commerce, industry, medicine, occupational and public welfare and safety and agriculture of the state.

(12) To assist in promoting general public education concerning nuclear energy and other forms of radiation.

(13) To conduct environmental radiation surveillance and monitoring programs throughout the state and in the vicinity of nuclear production and utilization facilities, including those facilities employing technologically enhanced natural radioactive material.

(14) To develop and implement a statewide radiological emergency preparedness plan and coordinate the development of specific emergency plans for nuclear power facilities, including planned protective actions for the population and the establishment of appropriate boundaries for which planning for nuclear emergencies will be undertaken; to respond to any emergency which involves possible or actual release of radioactive material; to coordinate decontamination efforts; to issue relocation and evacuation recommendations; and to otherwise protect the public welfare and safety in any manner deemed necessary and appropriate.

(15) To exercise all incidental powers necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this Chapter.

B. The secretary shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To adopt and promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the general intent and purposes of this Chapter for the control and regulation of nuclear energy and all radiation sources within the state of Louisiana.

(2) To develop permitting procedures and to require registration and to issue permits, licenses, and registrations for all sources of radiation within the state and to delegate the authority to issue or deny permits and licenses to the appropriate assistant secretary. The authority to execute minor permit actions and to issue registrations, certifications, notices of deficiency, and notification of inclusion under a general permit may be delegated by the secretary or the appropriate assistant secretary to an authorized representative, notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 30:2050.26.

(3) To adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the handling, use, storage, shielding, transportation, and disposal of all sources of radiation within the state.

Acts 1979, No. 449, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 194, §10; Acts 1983, No. 97, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 1984; Acts 1984, No. 117, §1, eff. June 22, 1984; Acts 1990, No. 245, §1; Acts 1999, No. 303, §1, eff. June 14, 1999.