Energy (Nuclear)

This bill allows Montana to approve temporary storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel produced by in-state nuclear power plants, provided the facilities meet specific conditions. The key requirements are that the storage must occur on the same site as the operating power plant, receive a recommendation from the state's environmental quality department, and hold a construction and operation license from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The legislation also updates existing state law to clarify how the department must file recommendations with federal regulators and establishes a fee system to fund the department's participation in federal proceedings.

This bill authorizes the siting of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities in Montana, allowing the state to approve such facilities if they are located on sites of existing nuclear power plants or use fuel transported from out of state. The legislation requires that any proposed facility first receive a recommendation from the state Department of Environmental Quality and obtain a construction or operating license from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Additionally, the bill updates state environmental laws to require companies applying for federal nuclear facility approvals to notify the state and pay fees to support state review and participation in federal proceedings. These changes aim to establish a clear framework for evaluating and permitting nuclear fuel reprocessing operations within Montana's borders.

House Bill 696 establishes a framework for the legislative approval of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities within Montana. It authorizes such facilities if they reprocess fuel from in-state or out-of-state sources, receive a state recommendation from the Department of Environmental Quality, and obtain a federal license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill also amends existing law, requiring companies applying to federal energy or nuclear regulatory commissions to notify the state's Department of Environmental Quality and pay a fee to support the department's review and participation in federal proceedings.

HB 623 establishes the conditions under which temporary spent nuclear fuel storage facilities can be sited within the state. It specifies that such facilities must be located on the site of an existing nuclear power generating facility and store fuel produced by that facility. Authorization for these facilities also requires a state recommendation from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a license from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill amends existing law to clarify the DEQ's role in reviewing federal applications for these facilities, requiring applicants to submit their federal applications to the DEQ and pay a fee for the department's review and participation in federal proceedings.