Rocketdyne legislation survives narrow vote in Senate
SB 990 passes by 21-16; bill now in hands of Assembly subcommittee

Legislation that would require the Santa Susana Field Laboratory site to be cleaned to the highest standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency before the land could be sold for use as residential property passed the state Senate on Monday by a 21-16 vote.

Senate Bill 990 now moves on for review by the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, where it must be heard before July 13.

The bill, introduced in February by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (DSanta Monica), stipulates that the site, now owned by the Boeing Co., must meet the standards for EPA Superfund sites prior to the sale, lease or transfer of all or any part of the property which lies in the hills above Simi Valley.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Conti found the Department of Energy "violated and continues to violate" the National Environmental Policy Act because the DOE did not conduct an in-depth review of the environmental impacts caused by the contamination.

The ruling barred the DOE from turning over portions of the Field Laboratory for residential development until it conducts a stringent environmental survey of the site and cleans it to appropriate standards- almost exactly the protections SB 990 would ensure at the state level.

"It is important to protect current and future residents from the toxic effects of releasing this land for housing development unless it is cleaned up to the appropriate environmental standard," Kuehl said in a press release.

SB 990 would also consolidate oversight of the cleanup of the contaminated site under the authority of California's Department of Toxic Substance Control.

The DOTC is currently overseeing the DOE cleanup of the site, which is located in the hills above Simi Valley.

The complete text of SB 990 may be viewed on the Internet at www.sen.ca.gov/.

- Kyle Jorrey