The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission should extend its public scoping comment period on a proposed spent reactor fuel storage facility in New Mexico to allow the state’s Legislature and public agencies to review and comment on the project, New Mexico lawmakers said recently.
In a series of identical Feb. 27 letters, the NRC told the lawmakers it is preparing a response to the request from nine state senators and 21 state representatives in two letters sent to the agency earlier in the month.
Holtec International of Camden, N.J., is seeking an NRC license to store as much as 8,680 metric tons of used fuel from commercial nuclear reactors in the first segment of an interim storage facility that ultimately could hold up to 120,000 metric tons of radioactive waste. Holtec would have to request license amendments if it wants to expand beyond the initial storage amount.
The lawmakers noted that New Mexico’s Legislature as a whole won’t meet again until 2019. They want more time for legislative committees and public agencies to provide input on matters such as water contamination risks; seismic concerns; contamination risks to local industries, ranches, and dairies; and potential state liability.
The letters noted that a typical RNC scoping comment period lasts only 45 days. “The scoping process will be over before the New Mexico Legislature has had an opportunity to hold public hearings, receive expert testimony, get citizen input and make scoping recommendations,” according to the Feb. 14 letter from members of the state House, addressed to NRC Chairman Kristine Svinicki, Commissioners Stephen Burns and Jeff Baran, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
The lawmakers also asked the NRC not to issue the consolidated interim storage facility license to Holtec before the state has had time to file its input.
After a nearly yearlong acceptance review, the nuclear-industry regulation said last week it would begin full environmental, safety, and security reviews for Holtec’s planned facility. It expects to complete the process by 2020. Holtec hopes to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel in 2022.
