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News :: Miscellaneous |
Sierra Club Condemns Hasty Plan to Ship Radioactive Waste through Illinois |
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by Sierra Club (No verified email address) |
13 Apr 2001
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Statement of Ann Mesnikoff, Washington Representative,
Sierra Club Global Warming and Energy Program |
WASHINGTON - April 12 - "The Sierra Club strongly opposes efforts to prematurely move nuclear waste through the state of Illinois before a permanent plan for its disposal is in place. Nuclear waste is among the most dangerous substance humans have created and
must be handled responsibly.
"The Sierra Club opposes an irresponsible policy that puts nuclear waste on the roads and
rails of Illinois, exposing children and families throughout the state to the dangers of this
waste.
"Representative Mark Kirk's (R-IL 10) announcement today could throw open the doors of Illinois to convoys of trucks traveling through Illinois carrying radioactive waste from other states, if other Representatives follow suit. Because major roads from eastern states
leading to the unsafe, proposed Yucca Mountain, Nevada, waste site pass through Illinois,
the U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that 36,300 truck shipments of spent reactor
fuel could pass through Illinois on its way west.
"The waste at the Zion reactor should not be moved until the nation has developed a
permanent disposal plan. While the United States needs a long-term solution, rushing to
move the waste now could jeopardize more Americans in the future if the final plan requires the waste to be transported once again.
"The waste can and must be safely and securely stored at the Zion reactor where it was
generated. Sierra Club looks forward to working with Representative Kirk and the other
members of the Illinois delegation to pursue the immediate solution of ensuring that the
waste at the Zion reactor is appropriately stored to protect the citizens of Illinois and Lake
Michigan.
"The problems raised by today's call for moving nuclear waste highlight the irresponsible
nature of President Bush's proposals to reinvest in nuclear power. The president's plan will only generate more waste, put more Americans at risk, and increase costs without
significantly affecting our power supply.
"Representative Kirk is right to be concerned about nuclear waste, but his proposal poses
greater risks to the people of Illinois than does ensuring safe storage at the reactor site."
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See also:
http://www.sierraclub.org |
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