Mississippi Code Title 57. Planning, Research and Development § 57-49-5. Department functions

(1) The department shall serve as the initial agency in this state to be contacted by the federal department of energy or any other federal agency on any matter related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste.

(2) The department shall serve as the initial agency in this state to receive any report, study, document, information or notification of proposed plans from the federal department of energy or any other federal agency on any matter related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste.  Notification of proposed plans include notification of proposals to conduct field work, on-site evaluation, on-site testing or any other related studies.

(3) The department shall disseminate or arrange with the federal department of energy or other federal agency to disseminate information received under subsection (2) of this section to the council, the committee, appropriate state agencies, appropriate local units of government and interested citizen groups.

(4) The department, in accordance with the recommendations and advice of the council and committee, shall respond to contacts made under subsection (1) of this section and information received under subsection (2) of this section if a response is appropriate.  The department may consult with the council, the committee, and with appropriate state agencies and local units of government.  The council and the committee shall prepare written comments for use by the department in preparing its response.

(5) The department, in consultation with the council and the committee, is authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations and to establish all procedures necessary to enable it to discharge its duties and powers under this chapter and to carry out the purposes and objectives of this chapter.  This authority shall include, but shall not be limited to, the establishment of procedures regarding the issuance of any permits the department may require for any type of testing to be conducted in connection with evaluating and selecting a site for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste.