SEN. REID, NEVADA GOVERNOR OPPOSE SHIPMENTS OF OAK RIDGE U-233

In a move that threatens the Department of Energy’s plans to ship a portion of its uranium-233 inventory at Oak Ridge to the Nevada National Security Site for disposal, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) are opposing the proposal. The Department has made some initial shipments of uranium 233 from Oak Ridge’s building 3016 to Nevada, but the 403 canisters from the Consolidated Edison Uranium Solidification Project that DOE hopes to ship later this year have been more controversial because of their higher radioactivity.  “After long and serious consideration, I have decided to oppose the Department of Energy’s plan to ship the Consolidated Edison Uranium Solidification Project canisters containing dangerous and long-lived radioactive waste for disposal at Area 5 of the Nevada National Security Site,” Sandoval wrote in a letter late last week to DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.

He adds, “The CEUSP canisters can only be considered [low level waste] because they do not meet the legal definition of high-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, transuranic waste or uranium mill tailings. Using this logic, DOE is attempting to exploit a gap in current regulations. The dangerous waste should be managed in the same manner as remote-handled transuranic waste, which DOE currently ships to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.” Sandoval requested a meeting with Moniz as soon as possible to discuss Nevada’s views.

Reid said in a statement late last week, “With the information I have today, I will not support the transportation of these canisters.” He added, “Nevada must receive assurances that the canisters are safe to ship, will not release dangerous levels of radiation into the environment, and waste acceptance standards for NNSS are not being modified solely to accommodate this waste."