ADOPTED - MARCH 12, 2002

Agenda Item No. 10

Introduced by the Administrative Services/Personnel and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION URGING THE MICHIGAN U.S. SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT REPOSITORY FOR HIGH-LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE

RESOLUTION #02-81

WHEREAS, over the past four decades, nuclear power has become a significant source for the nations's production of electricity. Michigan is among the majority of states that derive energy from nuclear plants; and

WHEREAS, since the earliest days of nuclear power, the great dilemma associated with this technology is how to deal with the waste material that is produced. This high level of waste material demands exceptional care in all facets if its storage and disposal, including the transportation of this material; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 which requires the federal government, through the U.S. Department of Energy, to build a facility for the permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste.

WHEREAS, in accordance with the federal act, Michigan electric customers have paid $405.8 million into this federal fund for construction of the federal waste facility; and

WHEREAS, there are serious concerns that the federal government is not complying with the timetables set forth in federal law. The U.S. Department of Energy, working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must not fail to meet its obligation as provided by law, there is too much at stake.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urges the Michigan U.S. Senators and Members of Congress to support the efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution will be transmitted to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Michigan's U.S. Senators and members of Congress.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Yeas: Swope, Lynch,

De Leon, Celentino, Severino Nays: None Absent: None Approved 3/5/02

FINANCE: Yeas: Grebner, Stid, Swope, Krause, Hertel, Minter

Nays: None Absent: Schafer Approved 3/6/02