251 



Mr. MoCloskey. Now we come to the question that Chairman Train 

 testified to about low liquid waste discharges, of vessels and land- 

 based. 



I take it you want the Commission to have the right to continue 

 to regulate those nuclear facilities ? 



Mr. Ramey. Yes. 



Mr. McCloskey. Section 7(b) of this act reads as follows: 



Provided, The Atomic Energy Oommission shall consult with the Administra- 

 tor prior to issuing a permit to conduct any activity which would otherwise be 

 regulated by this act. In issuing any such i)ermit, the Atomic Energy Commission 

 shall comply with standards set by the Administrator respecting limits on radia- 

 tion exposures or levels, or concentrations or quantities of radioactive material. 



That refers to a permit. Presumably a private party of govern- 

 mental agency is included in that. 



Do you intend that the Atomic Energy Commission should have 

 the ability without permit to continue this kind of liquid low-level 

 waste from vessels and land-based facilities? 



Mr. Ramey. That would have to be imder a permit. 



Mr. McCloskey. The language of the administration's bill would 

 leave you free to do this without a permit. 



Mr. Ramey. Under the Atomic Energy Commission Act, it has to 

 be by means of a license or permit. 



Mr. McCloskey. Even of your own agency when you are referring 

 to yourself ? 



Mr. Ramey. You mean the operational activities of the Atomic 

 Energy Commission? 



Mr. McCloskey. Yes. 



Mr. Ramey. I would prefer to have Mr. Price answer that question. 



Mr. Hennessey can also if he wishes. 



Mr. Hennessey. I interpret this section 7(b) would have the effect 

 of exempting the Atomic Energy Commission's own activities from 

 any requirement for a permit. 



Mr. McCloskey. Do you have any objection if the Atomic Energy- 

 Commission is brought mider the act and required to comply with 

 the act as an agency itself ? 



You would have to get a permit from the Environmental Protec- 

 tion Agency before you could do any of this dumping yourselves. 



Would you object to that ? 



Mr. Ramey. Again, I would like to provide you with a written 

 answer. 



This is again something which we have not specifically taken up in 

 connection with this testimony. 



As I pointed out, we were informed that we were being requested 

 to testify yesterday, and we have not had a Commission meeting in 

 that period. 



Mr. McCloskey. You will examine that second question ? 



Mr. Ramey. Yes, sir. 



(See section 2 of the letter dated April 26, 1971, which may be found 

 on p. 249.) 



Mr. McCloskey. Could you also examine a third question ? That is 

 whether or not you are willing to be bound by an administration 

 permit, like any other agency of government, and to respond as to 

 whether or not civil or criminal penalties should be or could be as- 

 sessed against your employees if they violate the law? 



