2008 Woodie Awards
Nuclear waste possible in TN
Daniel Potter
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently considering a company's application to import nuclear waste from Italy for processing in Tennessee before disposing of it in Utah.
"We are consulting with the states that would be involved, Tennessee and Utah," said David McIntyre, an NRC spokesman.
The company, Utah-based EnergySolutions, would import 20,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste, mostly "metal and concrete from the buildings of nuclear facilities," McIntyre said.
The commission has been gathering information since fall, and earlier this month began taking comments from the general public. This continues until March 12.
"We welcome all comments," McIntyre said. "Our interest is in whether the proposed action can be done safely and in accordance with the proper regulations."
McIntyre noted that U.S. policy on nuclear energy in general is an issue beyond the scope of the regulatory agency. "That's not something we can address," he said.
There is precedent for the EnergySolutions plan, McIntyre said, but "it's not something we would really call 'common.'"
"What's unusual about this, and what's really raised eyebrows in the media and in Congress, is the volume involved," McIntyre said - 20,000 tons, or roughly one million cubic feet, the Oak Ridger reported.
Still, McIntyre expects the company can handle the job.
"EnergySolutions is a leading company in the processing of radioactive waste, so they have expertise and resources to handle all sorts of issues involving cleanup of nuclear facilities, such as the one they're helping with in Italy," he said.
"This isn't particularly hazardous waste that they're planning to bring in," McIntyre said. "Certainly not weapons grade material - certainly not high level waste, which would be the spent fuel from a reaction that is highly radioactive."
"It's considered nuclear waste because of where it comes from, and because there's a possibility of some low level contamination," he said.
"We are consulting with the states that would be involved, Tennessee and Utah," said David McIntyre, an NRC spokesman.
The company, Utah-based EnergySolutions, would import 20,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste, mostly "metal and concrete from the buildings of nuclear facilities," McIntyre said.
The commission has been gathering information since fall, and earlier this month began taking comments from the general public. This continues until March 12.
"We welcome all comments," McIntyre said. "Our interest is in whether the proposed action can be done safely and in accordance with the proper regulations."
McIntyre noted that U.S. policy on nuclear energy in general is an issue beyond the scope of the regulatory agency. "That's not something we can address," he said.
There is precedent for the EnergySolutions plan, McIntyre said, but "it's not something we would really call 'common.'"
"What's unusual about this, and what's really raised eyebrows in the media and in Congress, is the volume involved," McIntyre said - 20,000 tons, or roughly one million cubic feet, the Oak Ridger reported.
Still, McIntyre expects the company can handle the job.
"EnergySolutions is a leading company in the processing of radioactive waste, so they have expertise and resources to handle all sorts of issues involving cleanup of nuclear facilities, such as the one they're helping with in Italy," he said.
"This isn't particularly hazardous waste that they're planning to bring in," McIntyre said. "Certainly not weapons grade material - certainly not high level waste, which would be the spent fuel from a reaction that is highly radioactive."
"It's considered nuclear waste because of where it comes from, and because there's a possibility of some low level contamination," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Thomas Stalknecht
posted 2/25/08 @ 1:01 PM CST
Why is this now an issue when in 2005 Rutherford County alone accepted 10 Million tons of Nuclear waste from across the country?
Well
posted 2/25/08 @ 4:34 PM CST
I am originally from a small city called Clinton, it's next to Oak Ridge for those of you less familiar with East Tennessee. We have our own superfund site. (Continued…)
news across the neocon empire
posted 2/28/08 @ 2:48 AM CST
Anyone who would support bringing in to the State of Tennessee another nation's radioactive waste is either out of their mind or they are a rich, capitalist pig that is about to make a fortune on it. (Continued…)
Stuff
posted 3/09/08 @ 8:31 PM CST
tester
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