A. The legislature finds that there is presently much public and state concern in the area of public health and safety over:

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(1)     the proposed waste isolation pilot plant for defense-related radioactive wastes;

(2)     the safe treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes and the regulation of hazardous waste generators;

(3)     the effective provision of regulation and information regarding hazardous chemicals in the community and in the work place;

(4)     the effective control of contamination from underground storage tanks;

(5)     the transportation on New Mexico highways and streets of radioactive and hazardous materials;

(6)     the disposition of uranium mine and mill tailings; and

(7)     the need to provide efficient and timely emergency response to accidents or natural disasters involving the disposal, storage or transportation of radioactive and hazardous materials.

B. The legislature further finds that there is a need to centralize and coordinate information on these concerns and to develop recommendations for action by the state. It is the purpose of the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Act to provide a vehicle for proper consideration of these legitimate state concerns without unnecessarily hampering the nuclear energy industry or compromising the nation’s defense.