Legislators approve nuclear waste bill with changes sought by community alliance

North Dakota residents concerned about nuclear waste storage say they’re “gratified” that state legislators included their suggestions in a bill approved this week.

House members voted 85-5 on Wednesday in favor of Senate Bill 2037, a bill that sets up a framework for permitting and regulating the storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste.

The North Dakota Community Alliance successfully pushed for language in the bill that makes it clear that the “placement, storage, treatment, exploration, testing or disposal of high-level radioactive waste” is prohibited in North Dakota.

If that provision is superseded by the federal government, the rest of the bill outlines a process for the state to respond and a permitting process.

Read more: https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislators-approve-nuclear-waste-bill-with-changes-sought-by-community/article_7c07cfa0-627a-5266-94c0-9f060ddd7342.html