S 3606

This bill requires nuclear power plant operators in New York to provide public notification of both scheduled and unscheduled releases of radioactive materials, with scheduled releases requiring at least 24 hours advance notice and unscheduled releases requiring notification within 24 hours of discovery. The operators must maintain a toll-free public hotline and notify local government officials, the health commissioner, and the public about these releases, including detailed information about the amount of radioactivity, potential dose exposure, affected areas, weather conditions, equipment failures, and corrective actions taken. The bill also mandates that operators report safety-related equipment breakdowns to authorities within 24 hours, requires the health commissioner to compile and distribute public reports on these incidents, and establishes monetary penalties for violations, reflecting the legislature's finding that the public should be fully informed about any radioactive releases given the inherent risks of radiation exposure at any level.