Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., is asking the president how the nation plans to store or dispose of radioactive waste from the Hanford nuclear reservation and the Energy Northwest nuclear power plant.
The nation has spent $10 billion to $12 billion over the last 25 years to study Yucca Mountain, Nev., as a site for a national repository to dispose of used commercial nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from Department of Energy defense sites, including Hanford.
But in February President Obama said that Yucca Mountain was not a suitable site for a national repository, as he had indicated he would when he campaigned in Nevada. Instead, he said he would launch a blue ribbon committee to lead federal efforts to look for disposal solutions based on "objective, scientific analysis."
Eight months later, appointment of a blue ribbon committee has yet to be announced, although DOE officials have said several times that it is pending.
"I write to inquire about the status of your plan to develop a new option for our nation's defense waste and commercial high-level nuclear spent fuel," Hastings wrote Obama on Tuesday.
Hastings asked how and when members of the blue ribbon commission will be selected and whether the commission will have the freedom to study any option it deems appropriate, including Yucca Mountain.
Hanford also was considered for a national repository for the nation's high-level radioactive waste before Yucca Mountain was picked, and Hastings wants to know if sites previously studied, such as Hanford, will be studied again.
He also would like to know how much the new studies will cost. The fiscal 2010 federal budget includes $197 million to continue studies on national nuclear waste disposal and establish the commission to evaluate disposal alternatives.
"I also request a complete explanation of the federal government's legal liabilities and obligations regarding both defense and commercial nuclear spent fuel given the additional delay in opening a national repository," Hastings wrote.
He said he supports moving forward with efforts to complete Yucca Mountain. If Obama believes there is a technical reason that Yucca Mountain is not feasible, then Hastings said he would like to hear the scientific justification.
"I am hopeful that as a blue ribbon panel is formed, this process will move forward in an open and transparent manner and that decisions will be based on science that covers all the nuclear waste intended for Yucca Mountain," Hastings wrote.
Hanford officials have been planning to send the nuclear reservation's high-level radioactive waste to Yucca Mountain. That includes millions of gallons of wastes stored in underground tanks.
Up to 53 million gallons of the tank wastes will be separated into high-level and low-activity radioactive waste at the $12.3 billion vitrification plant under construction at Hanford, where it then will be turned into a stable glass form for disposal.
The glassified high-level waste will have to be stored at Hanford until the nation has a place for its disposal, and Hanford watchdog groups and some Tri-City leaders are concerned about Hanford becoming a de facto long-term repository.
-- Annette Cary: 582-1533; acary@tricityherald.com
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Panel urges handling Hanford waste
Panel urges handling Hanford waste
The possibility of disposing of Hanford's high-level radioactive waste while a solution continues to be worked out for spent commercial nuclear fuel was raised Thursday at a Senate hearing.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., questioned leaders of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future on its findings at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On Wednesday, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., a candidate for governor, questioned commission leaders at a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Environment and Economy.
The commission issued its final recommendation last week, calling for the nation to look for a location "by consensus" where a new national repository for high-level defense waste and used commercial fuel will be welcome. It also called for the development of storage sites to be used in the meantime.
Blue Ribbon Commission says U.S. should start looking for Yucca alternative
Blue Ribbon Commission says U.S. should start looking for Yucca alternative
WASHINGTON -- The United States should immediately start looking for an alternative to replace the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada, which cost an estimated
$15 billion but was never completed, a presidential commission said Thursday.
In its final report, the 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission recommended immediate efforts to develop at least one geologic disposal facility for long-term handling of nuclear waste. Any effort to site a disposal facility must have community support, it said.
The report also suggested building regional storage sites that would be open for up to 100 years while officials seek to complete a permanent burial site.
Nuclear waste disposal to be discussed Tuesday
Nuclear waste disposal to be discussed Tuesday
What the recommendations of The Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future could mean to Washington will be discussed Tuesday in Richland.
James Conca, a senior scientist with the RJ Lee Group, will speak at a meeting of the Eastern Washington Section of the American Nuclear Society. He has worked on nuclear waste issues since 1985.
The Blue Ribbon Commission is looking at options for used commercial nuclear fuel and the nation's high-level radioactive weapons waste, including waste at Hanford, as the Department of Energy shuts down the Yucca Mountain, Nev., repository project.
Temporary storage proposed for vit plant waste
Temporary storage proposed for vit plant waste
Hanford contractor officials are proposing a temporary storage system for Hanford's treated high-level radioactive waste that easily can be expanded, given uncertainties about the nation's plans for a national waste repository.
Washington River Protection Solutions formed an independent review team that is recommending a new Hanford building large enough to store as much high-level radioactive waste as the Hanford vitrification plant is expected to treat in a decade. But if needed, more vaults could be added.
The initial plans do not include a shipping facility. Given austere federal budget conditions, it makes sense to wait to add that when the nation is ready to ship the waste, said Tom Fletcher, Department of Energy acting assistant manager of the Hanford tank farms.
A whole lot of nothing in panel's recommendation
A whole lot of nothing in panel's recommendation
A little more than two years ago, we supported the idea of a blue ribbon commission back when President Obama suggested it -- with reservations.
It seemed like a good idea to have an independent group look at a nuclear future for this country.
At the same time, we saw the absurdity of manipulating the focus of the scientific review to guarantee a politically expedient outcome.
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