Antinuclear

Public outcry against a proposed plan to build a nuclear waste facility in southeastern New Mexico seemed overwhelming last week as citizens spoke at numerous public meetings held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission across the state.

Holtec International, ….  applied with the NRC to build a temporary storage facility in Lea County—meant to hold spent nuclear fuel shipped from sites across the country……

The $2.4 billion facility would hold around 500 canisters of spent uranium fuel—8,680 metric tons..’ If the plan is approved, future expansion of the site could increase the number of canisters to 10,000—storing approximately 120,000 metric tons of nuclear waste. ..

The facility is meant to serve as a temporary storage space for the waste, however a permanent home has yet to be found. …k.

The lack of a federal plan for permanent storage of the spent waste has raised concerns among opponents of Holtec’s plan regarding the likelihood that the new facility, meant to serve as an interim storage site, could become the waste’s lasting home. At a number of public meetings arranged by the NRC, residents and environmental advocacy groups spoke against the project, citing safety issues that have occurred at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and fears of contamination near sites of cultural significance.

Also of concern is the transportation method of the high-level radioactive materials. The spent waste will be shipped via train to Lea County…….It is unclear exactly which rail corridors are expected to be used for the waste’s transportation, as it’s not mentioned in the proposal……

Among the questions asked were whether New Mexico has the infrastructure needed to handle the volume of shipments that would be coming into the state. In the case of an accident, the letter asked if emergency preparedness procedures are in place. ,,,,

The only response Steinborn said he’d received was from the New Mexico Environment Department, saying they would investigate the matter in the future.

Local governments have also acted in opposition to the facility’s proposal. Resolutions against the transportation of waste have passed in Bernalillo County, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Lake Arthur and Jal…. https://alibi.com/news/56491/More-Than-Our-Share.html