Flawed High-Level Radioactive Waste Legislation Introduced - Could put Illinois in crosshairs to become de facto national dumpsite

Dave Kraft, NEIS, neis@neis.org, (773)342-7650

CHICAGO—Controversial radioactive waste legislation was introduced into the U.S. Senate today that could result in Illinois becoming a de facto national high-level radioactive waste dumpsite until at least 2048.

The ‘‘Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2013’’ (S. 1240) was introduced by a bi-partisan group of Senators consisting of Senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. – the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development – and Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

The legislation purports to “…take[s] immediate steps to more safely store the most dangerous radioactive waste, and lay[s] out a clear plan for a permanent solution,” according to bill co-sponsor, Sen. Ron Wyden.

“Regrettably, we seem to be getting set up for another round of ‘kick the radwaste can down the road,’” observes David Kraft, director of Nuclear Energy Information Service, an Illinois nuclear watchdog group. “There’s nothing substantive in the legislation that’s any better than the nothing we have in place now to prevent the government from missing target dates in the future for establishing a permanent high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) disposal facility. It’s the illusion of progress without the substance, just to allow for the creation of more radioactive waste,” Kraft says.

The legislation does call for several radical changes in law dealing with HLRW. First, it removes control for HLRW disposal from the DOE, and invests that responsibility in a Waste Administrator and a 5 member Oversight Board. Second, it claims that the process of siting HLRW facilities will be “consent based.” Third, it calls for the creation of interim storage facilities for HLRW while the Oversight Board searches for a final permanent disposal site.

That last change could have serious implications for Illinois, according to Kraft.

“The first such ‘centralized interim storage’ (CIS) facility is dedicated to taking HLRW from closed reactors, or which experience closures or emergencies. A 2012 report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory recommends Illinois as the nation’s best location for such a facility, based on transportation and location parameters,” Kraft points out.

The 2012 study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL/TM-2012-237) states:
“…the consolidated ISFSI [spent fuel storage] site in Illinois is the single optimized site for an ISFSI solution when only [spent nuclear fuel] at orphaned reactors is considered relative to siting a consolidated ISFSI.” (p. xviii)

“The CIS sites would allegedly be “temporary,” but the Federal Government’s notion of ‘temporary’ is laughable. Illinois could become the nation’s de facto permanent HLRW dump for decades,” Kraft says. The law sets a target date of 2048 for the operation of the disposal facility. An Illinois CIS could be operational by 2021. An Illinois CIS facility could get well over 6,200 additional tons of HLRW, above and beyond the 8,600 tons it already stores at Illinois reactors run by Exelon, according to the numbers in the Oak Ridge report. Other potential candidate sites include Savannah River site in South Carolina, and the WIPP facility in New Mexico, based on their expressed interest.

NEIS has been trying for weeks to get face to face meetings with Senators Durbin and Kirk, and Governor Quinn to get their positions and discuss this impending catastrophe, but without success.

“Since 2002 NEIS and hundreds of other environmental and safe energy organizations have suggested a method called “hardened onsite storage” (HOSS) as a means of storing HLRW relatively safely at reactor sites until the federal government constructs a permanent disposal facility. We have been ignored. It’s time that Illinois’ politicians start paying attention, before the trucks start rolling in,” Kraft warns.

Views: 87

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

Comment by Wolf on July 10, 2013 at 9:21am

Illinois is already considering fracking for downstate Illinois now this HLRW is insult to injury.

Sadly, these nuclear plants are all going to start failing, many are leaking, now storing this "waste" that takes forever (compared to a human's life span) has to be stored.   I am godsmacked as to why stupid technology goes on and on yet intelligent technology is NOT allowed to be introduced.  Sadder yet, we let them.

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Doc Vega posted a blog post

They Won’t Stop

 The demonically driven left will not stop. Makes no difference how much violence they call for or…See More
13 hours ago
Doc Vega posted a blog post

What US Scientist unwittingly helped the Nazis devise the V-2 Missile?

  In the early 1920’s and leading up to World War II German technology outpaces the peace time…See More
Monday
tjdavis favorited Sandy's video
Monday
tjdavis posted a photo
Monday
Christopher Walker is now a member of 12160 Social Network
Sunday
tjdavis posted videos
Sunday
Burbia commented on tjdavis's photo
Thumbnail

Reflection

"Let's see if this goes past indictment."
Saturday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Something Watches From Out there in the Wilderness
"cheeki kea That's very interesting history. So many things about history that go ignored or…"
Saturday
Burbia commented on Burbia's video
Saturday
Burbia posted a video

Programmed To Kill/Satanic Cover-Up Part 433 (The Charlie Kirk Conspiracy Show)

https://www.programmedtokill.net/projects---- DISCLAIMER! ----Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair u...
Saturday
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's photo
Thumbnail

American werewolf- 2018

"Yip I've looked again and this is what the creature looks like, even has stripes just like…"
Saturday
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's photo
Thumbnail

American werewolf- 2018

"The mystery continues I guess. ( reminds me of something out of the under world )"
Saturday
cheeki kea posted a photo
Saturday
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Something Watches From Out there in the Wilderness
"Another fine story Doc V. I think it's Dogman the werewolf out there roaming around in high…"
Saturday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Saturday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post What Four UFO Whistle Blowers All Suffered in Common?
"Less Prone Thanks for you comment Buddy! Dabbling in government kept secrets can cost you dearly. I…"
Saturday
Burbia posted a blog post

Sebastion Piñera and 5G

 Sebastion Piñera “The start of the bidding process for the 5G network. Let’s listen to the threats…See More
Saturday
tjdavis posted a photo
Oct 16
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Oct 16
Less Prone left a comment for Tammy
"Welcome"
Oct 16

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted