35-11-1503. Preparation of the report by the department.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department shall within twenty-one (21) months of receipt of an application and the application fee under W.S. 35-11-1502, prepare a report which examines the environmental, social and economic impacts of any proposal to site a high-level radioactive waste storage facility within the state. The director may determine that more than twenty-one (21) months is required to complete the report. If the director makes this determination, the director shall extend the deadline as appropriate and notify the applicant and the legislature of the additional time required. The director may employ experts, contract with state or federal agencies, or obtain any other services through contractual or other means to prepare the report.

(b) Any report prepared under this section shall evaluate and assess all probable impacts associated with any proposal to site a high-level radioactive waste storage facility within the state, including but not limited to short term impacts and any other impacts which may be serious, reversible or irreversible. In developing the report under this section, the director may consider the guidelines and standards for preparation of an environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C). If appropriate and to the extent practicable, the department shall prepare a joint report with the nuclear regulatory commission under the National Environmental Policy Act.

(c) The report shall evaluate the environmental, social and economic impacts to the state from a range of alternative actions, including the siting of the high-level radioactive waste storage facility as proposed, the no action alternative and other alternatives.

(d) The report shall include a proposed benefits agreement, which shall be negotiated with the person who proposes to site the high-level radioactive waste storage facility.

(e) The director shall, in the preparation of the report, identify a recommended action from among the alternatives evaluated.