Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 201-S.F.No. 1646 
                  An act relating to nuclear waste; requiring the 
                  commissioner of public service to collect and hold in 
                  escrow funds for the disposal of high-level 
                  radioactive waste. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  [NUCLEAR WASTE ESCROW ACCOUNT.] 
           Beginning July 1, 1997, the public utilities commission may 
        direct persons in Minnesota that are generating or holding title 
        to high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel and that 
        are subject to the fee specified under United States Code, title 
        42, section 10222, to remit the proceeds of that fee to the 
        commissioner of public service.  The commissioner shall place 
        all revenues collected from this fee into an interest-bearing 
        escrow account.  The commissioner shall release the funds in the 
        escrow account to the secretary of the federal Department of 
        Energy upon a showing by the secretary that a federal repository 
        for the long-term storage and permanent disposal of spent 
        nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste is operating and 
        currently accepting such materials. 
           This section is intended to enable the state of Minnesota 
        to adopt or implement any appropriate relief granted by a court 
        of competent jurisdiction for the United States Department of 
        Energy breach of its obligations to dispose of commercial spent 
        nuclear fuel not later than January 31, 1998. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Section 1 is effective July 1, 1997. 
           Presented to the governor May 20, 1997 
           Signed by the governor May 22, 1997, 11:55 a.m.