LAS VEGAS -- Washington will make its case before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission today, arguing that the Department of Energy should not be allowed to permanently withdraw a license application for the Yucca Mountain, Nev., nuclear repository.
NRC officials are meeting in Las Vegas. If they agree that DOE can withdraw the application as requested, future presidential administrations could not resubmit a license application for Yucca Mountain.
"The nation has no ready alternatives to Yucca Mountain as a repository site, and we will vigorously oppose any efforts to permanently remove this facility from consideration," said Rob McKenna, Washington state attorney general, in a statement.
Hanford's spent nuclear fuel left unprocessed at the end of the Cold War and high-level radioactive waste that will be treated at the vitrification plant had been expected to go to the planned Yucca Mountain repository.
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Nuclear Regulation Commission allows Yucca closure to continue
Nuclear Regulation Commission allows Yucca closure to continue
WASHINGTON -- A divided Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday allowed the Obama administration to continue with plans to close the Yucca Mountain, Nev., nuclear waste repository, where Hanford waste was planned to be sent.
The commission split, 2-2, on whether to uphold or reject a decision by an independent nuclear licensing board. The board voted last year to block the Department of Energy from withdrawing its application for Yucca Mountain. The licensing board said the government failed to make a scientific case for why the application should be withdrawn.
Despite the split vote, the NRC said in an order Friday that the licensing board should continue steps to close out work on Yucca Mountain by the end of the month, citing "budgetary limitations."
NRC policy analyst to speak in Richland
NRC policy analyst to speak in Richland
A senior policy analyst for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will speak Nov. 15 in Richland at a meeting of the Eastern Washington Chapter of the American Nuclear Society.
Eric Oesterle will discuss NRC activities over the past year, including the agency's involvement in the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the Yucca Mountain, Nev., repository. He also will talk about the status of new reactor licensing and the process for it.
He will speak at 7 p.m. at the Shilo Inn in Richland. Those who want to attend a dinner meeting an hour before should make reservations by
4 p.m. Nov. 11. Cost is $22. Call 366-9632 or email ans.ews.treasurer@gmail.com.
GOP candidates disappoint with nuclear waste policy
GOP candidates disappoint with nuclear waste policy
If you're looking for an example of what's wrong with the way we nominate presidential candidates, the recent GOP debate in Las Vegas ought to suffice.
Republican hopefuls -- Newt Gingrich excepted -- rushed to align themselves with President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the issue of nuclear waste disposal.
Few Herald readers will need reminding that last year the Obama administration unilaterally ordered the Department of Energy to shut down the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository program near Las Vegas.
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.
Bechtel names safety culture leader at vit plant
Bechtel names safety culture leader at vit plant
A Bechtel executive with experience leading complex nuclear projects has been assigned to the Hanford vitrification plant to take charge of nuclear safety and quality culture improvement efforts.
The $12.2 billion plant has been the focus of assessments after questions were raised about whether scientists, engineers and others working to design and build the plant feel free to raise issues that could affect safe operation.
Ward Sproat, principal vice president at Bechtel Power Corp., is on temporary assignment to Bechtel National, which is building the plant to treat high level radioactive waste for disposal.
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