Section 605.70  Socioeconomic Merit of Proposal

The proposer who is selected to be contractor for the design, development, construction, operation and closure of the low-level radioactive waste disposal facility will be required to develop a plan that, if executed, would assure that the community hosting a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility would realize benefits.  In order to ensure that the contractor selected is capable of developing such a plan, the Agency will evaluate the proposed plan for identifying and addressing local concerns, providing public information and a forum for public involvement, and designing and negotiating programs for incentives and compensation to the host community.

a)         Public Information Plan.  The Agency shall evaluate the proposer's public information plan by establishing whether the plan contains the following:

1)         A program for explaining both the potential risks and benefits associated with low-level radioactive waste disposal and the proposer's approach for minimizing the risks;

2)         A method for effectively identifying all interested or potentially affected parties; and

3)         A plan for development and distribution of sufficient, accurate, and understandable informational materials to permit and encourage public participation in the site development process.

b)         Local Involvement Plan.  The Agency shall evaluate the local involvement plan to establish that the proposer selected as contractor is capable of and willing to ascertain and respond to the matters of particular concern to each county or municipality that has been selected as a potential host community.  When evaluating the adequacy of local involvement plans, the Agency will review:

1)         The proposer's plan for:

A)        Guaranteeing the property value of land contiguous to the facility;

B)        Establishing or encouraging compatible economic or other activities in the vicinity of the facility;

C)        Preserving the local revenue attributable to property taxes on the land that will be used for the facility;

D)        Preparing an economic and community development plan;

E)        Providing local residents with appropriate training and jobs at the facility;

F)         Procuring goods and services locally;

G)        Assuring procedures for local oversight of and participation in facility operation and development, including independent or cooperative monitoring and access to information regarding facility operations;

H)        Assuring that third party liability and remedial action funds are available to meet reasonably foreseeable contingencies as described in the plan required under Section 605.80(b)(5);

I)         Guaranteeing that the selling price of local produce is not adversely affected due to the presence of the disposal facility;

J)         Enhancing the human and natural environment in the vicinity of the facility by establishing recreational facilities, wildlife preserves, natural areas or similar land uses;

K)        Employing permanent and seasonal workers in professional, clerical, skilled or semi-skilled positions, with employment efforts directed at hiring local residents;

L)        Soliciting input from local officials regarding concerns associated with hosting the disposal facility; and

M)       Accommodating other requests and responding to other concerns that may be raised by the counties and municipalities where the alternative sites will be located.

2)         The proposer's plan for addressing technical matters of local concern, including the following:

A)        Facility design;

B)        Facility construction schedules, plans and procedures;

C)        Facility operating procedures;

D)        Monitoring systems and procedures;

E)        Emergency, remedial action and closure plans;

F)         Long-term care and maintenance plans;

G)        Control and routing of transport of low-level radioactive waste to the facility; and

H)        Solicitation of input from local officials regarding technical and procedural concerns associated with design, construction, operation, monitoring and closing a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 12414, effective July 19, 2013)