Ninety-one members of Congress urged the Department of Energy on Tuesday to immediately halt work to dismantle the Yucca Mountain, Nev., nuclear repository.
They signed onto a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu written by
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and
Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash.
"We are deeply disappointed that the department has overstepped its bounds and has ignored congressional intent without peer review or proper scientific documentation in its actions regarding Yucca Mountain," the letter said.
Last week, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission legal panel ruled DOE could not withdraw its NRC application to license Yucca Mountain as the nation's repository for used nuclear power fuel and high-level defense waste. Hanford's irradiated fuel and high-level waste processed at the vitrification plant under construction have been expected to go to the repository.
"We are deeply troubled that the department continues to move forward with terminating the project regardless of this decision," the letter said.
The ruling was a clear statement that DOE does not have the authority under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to unilaterally terminate Yucca Mountain, the letter said. The act designated Yucca Mountain as the site for a national repository, making clear
Congress' intent, it said.
The current administration has opposed proceeding with the repository after Barack Obama told Nevada voters the repository should not open as he campaigned for president. DOE also did not ask for money in the proposed 2011 federal budget to proceed with the repository and has moved to use money appropriated in the current fiscal year for licensing Yucca Mountain to instead bring the repository project to a close.
"We ask that you recognize the letter and spirit of the law, honor the timeline set by the court and halt all efforts to reprogram funds or terminate contracts related to Yucca Mountain," the letter said.
Earlier this year, Washington and South Carolina and a group of Tri-City Community leaders filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, questioning whether the Obama administration had the legal right to terminate the repository.
In May, the court denied a request by Washington state to prohibit DOE from continuing shutdown activities while the case was proceeding. However, the court has agreed to expedite the schedule for arguments in the case, which will be heard Sept. 23.
DOE and Nevada are expected to appeal the NRC legal panel ruling.
The letter was signed by 24 senators, two of them Democrats, and 67 representatives, 12 of them Democrats. Washington leaders signing the letter, in addition to Murray and Hastings, were Democratic Reps. Norm Dicks, Jay Inslee and Rick Larsen
and Republican Reps. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and David Reichert.
Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican, also
signed.
w Annette Cary: 582-1533; acary@tricityherald.com; More Hanford news at
hanfordnews.com.
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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."
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.
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.
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.
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