Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, has introduced a resolution with Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, urging Congress and the president to approve legislation prioritizing the removal of nuclear waste from decommissioned nuclear plants in areas vulnerable to earthquakes.

The state Senate resolution backs a bill from Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, that would quicken the bureaucratic process to remove nuclear waste from shuttered plants such as the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in Levin’s and Bates’ districts as well as the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in Monning’s district.

“California has waited for years for the federal government to do its job and help move the state’s nuclear waste away from densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas,” Bates said. “The legislature must add its voice for action, and I’m pleased to partner with Sen. Bill Monning to urge passage of pending legislation in Congress. Safeguarding our coast from the dangers of nuclear waste should not be a partisan issue.”

Levin introduced his bill May 23. It has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

“It’s critically important that we get the waste at San Onofre off of our beach, away from fault lines and millions of nearby residents,” Levin said. “That’s why I introduced federal legislation to prioritize the removal of spent nuclear fuel from decommissioned nuclear sites in areas with large populations and high seismic hazard. I’m glad to see that this issue is being addressed at all levels of government and I will continue to work with Senator Bates and other local officials on this urgent challenge.”

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