HB496 (2011) Detail

Relative to radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones.


HB 496-FN – AS INTRODUCED

2011 SESSION

11-0731

09/04

HOUSE BILL 496-FN

AN ACT relative to radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones.

SPONSORS: Rep. Sheffert, Rock 15

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

ANALYSIS

This bill requires radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11-0731

09/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT relative to radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Nuclear Response Program; Radiological Monitoring. Amend RSA 107-B by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

107-B:7 Radiological Monitoring. The director of fire safety and emergency management shall implement a continuous real-time environmental radiological monitoring program. The program shall include installation of radiation monitors in each municipality located in an emergency planning zone, as that term is used in 10 C.F.R. part 50.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

11-0731

Revised 01/31/11

HB 496 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Department of Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services state this bill will increase state restricted expenditures and revenues by an indeterminable amount in FY 2012 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenues or expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

    This bill requires radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Safety note although the proposed legislation requires the director of Fire Safety and Emergency Management to establish and implement radiological monitoring in nuclear emergency planning zones, it is assumed that the responsibility for carrying out this program would fall under the Department of Health and Human Services’ Radiological Health Section within the Division of Public Health Services. This Division is currently responsible for the environmental surveillance program that assesses the radiological impact of activities associated with the nuclear power plants. The Departments state in accordance with RSA 107-B:1, I, all costs associated with the implementation of the proposed legislation would be borne by the nuclear power plants through fees assessed by the Director of Fire Safety and Emergency Management and recorded as restricted state revenue.

    The Department of Health and Human Services states the proposed legislation will increase state restricted expenditures and restricted revenues by the costs associated with an initial design study followed by the purchase, set up, and calibration of the necessary equipment, system monitoring costs, and maintenance and upkeep costs. The Department of Health and Human Services states the costs related to planning and development are indeterminable but believes they are likely to be material. In addition, the Department estimates a cost of between $20,000 and $25,000 per radiation monitor with a minimum of one monitor required for each municipality within the emergency planning zones (EPZ) surrounding the power plants. The Department states there are 17 municipalities in the Seabrook EPZ and 5 municipalities within the Vermont Yankee EPZ. This equates to a cost estimate of $440,000 ((17+5) x $20,000) to $550,000 ((17+5) x $25,000) for radiation monitors. The Department estimates ongoing maintenance and calibration costs to be between $4,000 and $5,000 per year resulting in an annual increase in state restricted expenditures of between $88,000 (22 units x $4,000) and $110,000 (22 units x $5,000).

    Although this bill does not establish positions, based on information obtained from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program, the Department estimates it will require one radiation health physicist II (labor grade 23, beginning at step 1) to provide radiation monitoring readings, analyses and interpretation, troubleshoot operational issues, investigate unusual readings, coordinate servicing and maintenance needs, and provide periodic and annual reports. The Department estimates the total cost of employment of the radiation health physicist, including salary, benefits, and associated expenses such as rent, equipment, and travel costs to be $86,560 in FY 2012, $86,875 in FY 2013, $91,106 in FY 2014 and $95,601 in FY 2015.