Oregon Measure 15, Definition of Radioactive Waste Initiative (1986)
| Oregon Measure 15 | |
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| Topic Nuclear energy |
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| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 15 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 4, 1986. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported expanding the definition of radioactive waste to include waste generated before June 1, 1981, through an industrial or manufacturing process producing zirconium, hafnium or niobium, and removing Energy Facility Siting Council's rules on materials posing insignificant danger from the definition. |
A "no" vote opposed expanding the definition of radioactive waste to include waste generated before June 1, 1981, through an industrial or manufacturing process producing zirconium, hafnium or niobium, and removing Energy Facility Siting Council's rules on materials posing insignificant danger from the definition. |
Election results
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Oregon Measure 15 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 424,099 | 43.15% | ||
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558,741 | 56.85% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 15 was as follows:
| “ | SUPERSEDES “RADIOACTIVE WASTE” DEFINITION; CHANGES ENERGY FACILITY STUDY PAYMENT PROCEDURE QUESTION - Shall new legal definitions of “radioactive waste” supersede present definition; process for applicant paying facility site study costs be changed? EXPLAINED - Measure supersedes existing law defining “radioactive waste.” It deletes from definition reference to Energy Facility Siting Council rules identifying materials posing no significant danger, adds to definition wastes generated before June 1, 1981 in producing zirconium, hafnium, or niobium, containing specified quantities of radium 226, and adds uranium mine and mill wastes as defined by federal law. Removes need for advance agreement by energy facility applicant before charging applicant facility study costs exceeding application fee. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL EFFECT - There are three landfills in Oregon with radioactive waste that would fall under the revised definition in the initiative petition. The Department of Energy would oversee the remedial action that would be required at those sites. ODOE’s costs are estimated to be approximately $100,000 for each site. Those costs would be recovered by charging site certificate fees. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
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