New high-level nuclear waste dump could be slated for the South

[jpak]

http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/08/new-high-level-nuclear-waste-dump-could.asp

The Nuclear Energy Institute, a trade group for the U.S. nuclear industry, is in the process of selecting at least two rural U.S. communities to serve as potential dump sites for highly radioactive spent fuel from the nation's nuclear power plants.

The NEI refuses to identify the communities being considered or even say what region they're in. But while a representative of the group has said New England is not a candidate, he refuses to say the same about the South.

<snip>

Cohen recently disclosed to a reporter from Connecticut that her region was not home to the communities being considered, according to Linda Gunter of the Maryland-based watchdog group Beyond Nuclear. NEI initially considered seven sites and narrowed the choice to two, Beyond Nuclear reports. The communities under consideration already have nuclear installations of some kind.

The sites would serve as storage facilities for the spent fuel currently being stored on the grounds of nuclear power plants until -- and if -- the Department of Energy's controversial Yucca Mountain high-level radioactive waste dump opens in Nevada. Yucca Mountain was supposed to begin accepting spent fuel in 1998 but has faced numerous delays due to legal challenges and other problems. There is still no official opening date set for that facility.

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[BlueCollar]

1. How about West Texas or Crawford?

Not much happening out there...

:hide:

[LiberalFighter]

2. Bush is moving to Houston after he is out.