SECTIONS 115275-115295 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 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
California Emergency Management Agency in a manner to be determined
by the agency 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 ($200,000) 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 California Emergency Management Agency 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 California Emergency
Management Agency 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
California Emergency Management Agency.