The proposed law would require that before the construction or operation of any new nuclear power plant or low-level radioactive waste storage or disposal facility in the Commonwealth, the legislature must make certain findings and a majority of voters must approve the new facility at a statewide election.

Before the question of building a new nuclear power plant could be submitted to the voters, the legislature would have to find that (1) the proposed facility is the best means for meeting energy needs based on certain economic, safety, environmental and social considerations; (2) a federally-licensed facility exists for the disposal of the high-level radioactive waste that would be generated; (3) an approved emergency preparedness plan has been developed; (4) radioactive pollution standards have been promulgated; and (5) a demonstrated, federally-approved technology exists for decommissioning the proposed power plant.

Before the question of building and operating a low-level radioactive waste storage or disposal facility or of entering into an agreement with another state to build and operate such a facility in Massachusetts could be submitted to the voters, the legislature would have to find that the technology and site designated for the proposed facility are the best available based on certain economic, safety, environmental and social considerations. The legislature would also have to find that the obligations imposed on Massachusetts by any interstate agreement were no greater than those imposed on any other state

The proposal would not apply to a facility which had obtained all necessary government approvals before August 5, 1981, nor to any facility for disposal or storage of radioactive wastes from medical or bio-research applications in Massachusetts.