MISSION: Southwest Research and Information Center is a multi-cultural organization working to promote the health of people and communities, protect natural resources, ensure citizen participation, and secure environmental and social justice now and for future generations

SRIC's Nuclear Waste Policy

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Congress and Nuclear Waste Policy On June 7, 2019, the Subcommittee on Environment of the House Oversight and Reform Committee held a field hearing on "Examining America's Nuclear Waste Management, Storage, and the Need for Solutions." SRIC's Don Hancock was invited to testify. He gave a prepared opening statement and submitted written testimony for the record. The written testimony of the witnesses and video of the hearing is at: https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings/examining-americas-nuclear-waste-management-storage-and-the-need-for-0

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States and Nuclear Waste Policy

On April 17, 2019, the North Dakota Legislature passed SB 2037, which was signed by the governor on April 23, 2019. The new law includes a new prohibition regarding high-level radioactive waste:

"38-23-01. General prohibition.
The placement, storage, exploration, testing, or disposal of high-level radioactive waste within the exterior boundaries of North Dakota is prohibited."

Another provision of the new law was the establishment of a High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Council, composed of seven state agency officials, four state legislators, and representatives of county and city governments, and the agricultural community. https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/committees/joint/high-level-radioactive-waste-advisory-council

The Council’s first meeting was held on November 4, 2019. SRIC’s Don Hancock was invited to provide background information related to nuclear waste issues.

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"CONSENT" for Nuclear Waste Sites DOE is re-starting the "consent" process that it had paused. On December 1, 2021, DOE issued a Federal Register Request For Information (RFI) regarding "interim storage facilities." https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-12-01/pdf/2021-25724.pdf On February 15, 2022, SRIC and dozens of organizations joined a letter from Beyond Nuclear requesting that DOE withdraw, revise, and re-publish the RFI. On March 4, 2022, SRIC submitted its comments on the RFI. In 2016, DOE held ten meetings around the country to discuss what communities need to "consent" to commercial spent fuel storage sites and a defense high-level waste repository. In December 2016, DOE issued a Draft Defense Waste Repository Plan for public comment. https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/Final%20Draft%20DWR%20Plan.pdf SRIC's comments were submitted on March 20, 2017. As part of its process, DOE invited comments on how to develop private off-site consolidated storage site(s). https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/10/f33/Draft%20PFI%20RFI% 20Rev%208_Final_For%20Posting.pdf SRIC's comments were submitted on January 27, 2017. SRIC's Don Hancock was one of four invited panelists at the May 24, 2016 Denver public meeting. His presentation from the transcript of the meeting. The video and transcript of the meeting are at: http://energy.gov/ne/downloads/consent-based-siting-public-meeting-denver-may-24-2016 Don Hancock made a presentation (Nuclear Waste Consent and Non-Consent: Have we learned?) on June 1, 2016 in Boston, MA at a workshop sponsored by ECAST and funded by DOE. SRIC's presentation on "Non-consent" and citations and details were given at Stanford University on March 9, 2016. Information about the DOE meetings: http://energy.gov/ne/consent-based-siting Information about the Stanford Reset Nuclear Waste Policy: http://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/research/nuclear-waste-reset-initiative

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Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future

• September 13, 2011 Public Meeting in Denver, Colorado:
  SUMMARY Initial Comments on the Draft Report of July 29, 2011 (9/13/2011);
  INITIAL COMMENTS on the Blue Ribbon Commission's Draft Report to the Secretary of Energy of July 29, 2011 (9/13/2011); and
  PRESENTATION to the Commission (9/13/2011)
• Additional Perspective on the Continuing WIPP Experience, by Don Hancock, Submitted to Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, Disposal Subcommittee (1/27/2011).
  PRESENTATION: Additional Perspective on the Continuing WIPP Experience, Presentation by Don Hancock, Submitted to Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, Disposal Subcommittee (1/27/2011).
• A Perspective on the Continuing WIPP Experience, by Don Hancock, Submitted to Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, Disposal Subcommittee (7/7/2010).
• A Perspective on U.S. Nuclear Waste Policies for the Last 40 Years,
  by Don Hancock, Submitted to Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (3/24/2010).

GNEP Site Awards

• EnergySolutions LLC, (Triassic Park, Otero County) Roswell, NM
  (posted 2/21/2007).
• Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance (Eddy County) Hobbs, NM
  (posted 2/21/2007).
• Paducah Uranium Plant Asset Utilization Inc., Paducah, KY
  (posted 2/21/2007).

Sandia National Laboratory:

• Fact Sheet Concerning Sources of Groundwater Contamination at the Technical Area Five (TA-V), the Tijeras Arroyo Groundwater (TAG) and the Burn Site Areas of Concern at Sandia National Laboratories (June 10, 2016 Revision)
• Groundwater Contamination at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Continues At Tijeras Arroyo, Tech Area-V and Burn Sites Environmental Restoration (ER) Areas of Concern (AOCs): Increased transparency and stakeholder involvement needed to accelerate clean-up Presentation before Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) Water Protection Advisory Board (WPAB) June 10, 2016
• Summary of 2014 Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report Regarding Groundwater Impacts At Tijeras Arroyo, Tech Area V And Burn Site Areas of Concern (January 2016)
• Fact Sheet Concerning Groundwater Contamination and Remediation Options at the Technical Area Five (TAV) and the Tijeras Arroyo Groundwater (TAG) Environmental Remediation Sites at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (July 2011)
• Full Report — Groundwater Contamination and Remediation Options at the Technical Area Five (TAV) and the Tijeras Arroyo Groundwater (TAG) Environmental Remediation Sites at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico (July 2011)
• Radiation Releases at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico: Recently Reported Radiation Releases and Other Potential Sources of Radiation Release (presentation Nov. 17, 2006)
• MTA Fund
  
  • Round 1: The Nukes Next Door: Shedding Light on a Nuclear Neighbor, Sandia National Laboratories (2002)
  • Round 3:
    * Review of Environmental Monitoring for Radionuclides in Air at the Sandia National Laboratory (6/20/2007) and
    * Radiation Releases at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico: Recently Reported Radiation Releases and Other Potential Sources of Radiation Release (11/6/2006)

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Canada's Deep Geologic Repository 2013-2014 Ontario Power Generation Company has applied for a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for Low and Intermediate Level Waste disposal from its nuclear power plants — Deep Geologic Repository (DGR). In 2013 Northwatch, a Canadian public interest organization, requested that SRIC be part of its team of consultants in the environmental review and licensing process. Southwest Research and Information Center prepared a report for Northwatch WIPP and International Experience with Deep Geologic Repositories, (August 2013), on Canada's Proposed Deep Geologic Repository on the shores of Lake Huron. There was a public hearing from September 16 to October 12, 2013. Northwatch's complete written submission of the hearing is at: http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/p17520/93209E.pdf The Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel Hearing began on September 17, 2013. Details about the hearing schedule could be found on: http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/p17520/94174E.pdf SRIC's Don Hancock testified on Monday, September 23, 2013 during the afternoon session - 2 to 5 pm (Eastern Time); Noon to 3 pm Mountain Time. Read SRIC's presentation on behalf of Northwatch. It is to be given at the Public Hearing in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada on the proposed Deep Geologic Repository. All of the hearings were webcast live starting September 17, 2013, lasting 25 days. Transcripts and other documents from the hearing can be found at here. On June 3, 2014 a notice posted regarding an additional Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel Hearing, set to resume on September 9, 2014. Among the issues about which the Panel requested additional information is what impacts, if any, the WIPP events in February 2014 have on the safety analysis for the DGR. Northwatch has again asked SRIC's Don Hancock to provide information for that hearing. The report is "Recent Events at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and Initial Questions and Lessons for the Ontario Power Generation Proposed Deep Geologic Repository." Northwatch's complete submission for this hearing is at: http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/documents/p17520/99600E.pdf SRIC's Don Hancock gave a powerpoint presentation on behalf of Northwatch and the Ontario Clean Air Alliance on September 9. An article about the hearing appeared in the Toronto Star: "OPG works to calm concerns over nuclear waste dump" The hearings were held from September 9 - 18 in Kincardine, Ontario. The hearing transcripts and webcasts are at: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/the-commission/joint_review_panel/deep-geologic-repository/index.cfm

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Documents

Citizen groups oppose the siting process of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). See the letter to Congress here. (1/25/2007).

SRIC questions to NRC regarding redaction of DEIS on LES uranium enrichment plant (12/29/2004)

SRIC's comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission re: LES Environmental Impact Statement (3/18/2004)

DOE Says YES to Yucca Mountain — Nevada Says NO to Yucca Mountain (1/18/02)

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The Ambushed Grand Jury is the true story of four Citizen Investigators who uncover the Justice Department’s cover-up of deadly radioactive contamination at Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant.

Deceived by the Justice Department’s cover-up, relying on false assurances that Rocky Flats wasn’t as contaminated as everyone had thought, public officials now plan to open the former nuclear weapons plant to recreation. Children will play in these radioactive fields ... unless the Citizens’ Investigation – with the reader's help - can stop these dangerous plans. All authors' profits will be donated to environmental and nuclear activist groups around the country to help them carry on their important work. You will be asked during checkout to pick the organization of your choice. Read more.

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Updates of our Nuclear Waste Program activities can be found in the Nuclear Waste Issue and the Nuclear West Issue of Voices from the Earth

Voices from the Earth

• What Will Congress Do about Yucca Mountain?, Spring 2002
• Congress Begins Action on Yucca Mountain, Summer 2002
• Congress Approves Yucca Mountain, Fall 2002

Additional information can be found in The Workbook (discontinued):

The Workbook

• Feature Articles
  • "Where is Nuclear Waste Going —Or Staying? Don Hancock. Overview of efforts in Congress to weaken health and safety standards for nuclear waste storage and disposal. Also, the effort to halt a radioactive waste dump in the Mojave Desert. 1995, 13 pp. (Cited by Project Censored, "25 Best Censored Stories of 1995.")
  • FOR SALE: Nuclear Waste Sites — Anyone Buying? Don Hancock. Why the federal government's program to sell surface storage facilities and to promote Yucca Mountain, Nevada is failing; steps needed for a successful nuclear waste program. 1992, 10 pp.
  • The Wasting of America: Target/Nevada Target/New Mexico. Don Hancock. Problems at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, proposed site of the first high-level nuclear waste repository, and implications for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a military waste repository in New Mexico. 1988, 11 pp.
  • Nuclear Waste: Another Washington Scandal. Don Hancock. The Department of Energy s (DOE) policies and practices in developing WIPP explain the agency s troubles as it tries to develop a second repository. 1987, 5 pp.
  • How Not to Find A Nuclear Waste Site. Don Hancock. Why the DOE chose unsuitable sites as candidates for the high-level nuclear waste repository. 1986, 10 pp.
  • The Nuclear Legacy: How Safe Is It? Don Hancock. Problems with implementing the federal nuclear waste repository program. 1983, 23 pp.
• Center Notes
  • Nuclear Weapons Testing Still Affects Human Health, Fall/Winter 1998.

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