New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR65

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Urges President of United States and United States Congress to annually financially compensate every local unit of government in United States where there is located decommissioned nuclear power plant in which spent nuclear fuel is stored.

Impact

The bill references the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, which originally mandated the establishment of a federal nuclear waste repository and included provisions for compensating local governments. However, this repository has not been established, leaving many communities with decommissioned power facilities to shoulder the financial impacts alone. ACR65 seeks to restore some balance by advocating for ongoing financial support to these municipalities, thus acknowledging their role as effective temporary storage facilities until a federal solution is realized.

Summary

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 65 (ACR65) urges the President of the United States and Congress to annually financially compensate local governments that host decommissioned nuclear power plants storing spent nuclear fuel. The resolution emphasizes that these plants can no longer generate revenue or be repurposed while containing nuclear waste, leading to significant financial burdens for municipalities affected by their presence. This situation has resulted in increased property tax rates for residents as local governments lose out on potential tax revenues from properties that essentially become contaminated sites due to the stored nuclear waste.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding ACR65 include concerns about whether the financial compensation proposed can sufficiently cover the losses experienced by local governments. Additionally, there may be opposing views on whether such compensation should come from federal funds or other sources. Advocates argue that supporting these communities is crucial for addressing their financial strain, while critics may question the sustainability and fairness of imposing this burden on federal taxpayers, particularly if the waste remains onsite for an extended period.