Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends rules regarding thermal power plant demolitions.

Highlights:

• Requires that prior to demolition, the owner and operator of a thermal power plan must satisfy notification requirements and adopt a state approved air quality plan (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that the public be notified 60 days in advance of the demolition (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that the public be notified about the demotion via online and physical mediums such as newsletter or newspaper and in a forum such as radio and television if other methods are not available (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the notice can also be sent through texts, mails, e-mails, posting notices on site and other methods (Sec.1). 

• Requires that in the notice the public receives information concerning the business owner’s contact info, the date and time of the demolitions, the part of the plan that is scheduled to be demolished, the amount of debris anticipated, the address of the publicly available website concerning the demolition, and instructions on how to be informed otherwise 

• Requires that all the information made available to the public be kept on the publicly available website for 3 years after the date of demolition (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that the website inform the public on the draft air quality plan and the possible environmental impact of the demolition on the surrounding community (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the permits received from the county and state offices be present on the website (Sec. 1). 

• Requires non-english versions of the notice if the demolition is to take place in a community with over 10% non english speaking population (Sec. 1). 

• Requires one public meeting with the municipality 30 days prior to the scheduled demolition (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the meeting to be made with accommodations to individuals with disabilities (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that at the public meeting the above information regarding the date and time of the demolition, the environmental impact, road closures, and other information be made available (Sec.1). 

• Specifies that a court reporter be at the meeting to conduct a transcript of the meeting for public record (Sec.1). 

• Requires that the air quality plan must comply with the following requirements (Sec. 1).

• An air dispersion plan taking into account dust; 

• Air monitoring from the site but upward and downward of the site; 

• A dust mitigation plan; 

• A contingency plan if the previous requirements are not met 

• A site cleanup plan

• Establishes that the demolition of a thermal power plant without following the above requirements will incur a penalty of a $50,000 for the first violation and upt to $250,000 for following violations (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text