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News :: Environment |
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Nuke Train En-Route To Champaign County? |
Current rating: 0 |
by ML and AP
(No verified email address) |
18 Jul 2003
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Nuclear Waste Train, Long Delayed by Sept. 11 Fears of Terrorism, May Be En-Route to Champaign County |
A nuclear waste train, long delayed by fears of terrorism after the events of Sept. 11, may be en-route to Champaign County. The original route was designed to avoid "major population centers" by traveling via Norfolk Southern tracks through Champaign County. The route would include such communities as Philo (the "Center of the Universe") and Tolono.
An AP report (http://www.boston.com/dailynews/197/region/Train_loaded_with_radioactive_:.shtml) indicates that the train left West Valley, New York under cover of darkness, possibly on Tuesday. It may be in the area as this is written.
For earlier reporting on this train and its potential hazards, see:
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/1595
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/1610
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/1657
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/1671
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/2184 |
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Train Loaded With Radioactive Waste Leaves New York |
by AP via Reddy Kilowatt
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
18 Jul 2003
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By Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press, 7/16/2003 16:28
A train loaded with high-level radioactive waste left western New York in a classified disposal operation that had been put on hold after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The shipment marks a milestone in the decades-long, federal-state cleanup of the former West Valley Demonstration Project, the only factory designed to recharge fuel cells worn out at nuclear power plants.
Spokesmen for West Valley and the U.S. Department of Energy would not say Wednesday when the train left or where it was headed, citing security concerns.
''It is in safe and secure hands and under the government's control,'' Energy Department spokesman Joe Davis said from Washington.
West Valley officials have previously said the shipment of 125 spent fuel assemblies bundles of rods that contain fuel pellets used to produce electricity in nuclear power plants would travel through 11 states to the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.
Davis said as a general practice, local law-enforcement agencies are notified when such shipments pass through their locations.
Among people not notified was U.S. Rep. Amo Houghton, whose district includes West Valley, 35 miles south of Buffalo. The train's departure prompted Houghton to write a letter of dismay to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham on Tuesday.
''We've been in touch several times about the site, including my repeated requests for information about the movement of high level nuclear waste which had been stored on rail cars waiting to be shipped out West,'' Houghton wrote.
''You might imagine my surprise when I heard today that the rail cars moved off site in the middle of last night headed for ... God knows where,'' the letter said.
Houghton's office agreed to release the letter to The Associated Press after segments were published Wednesday. Spokesman Bob Van Wicklin said Houghton would not elaborate until receiving a response from Abraham.
''Spencer - really. This is irresponsible stuff, don't you think?'' the New York Republican wrote.
West Valley spokesman John Chamberlain said specifics of the shipment were ''being limited to a need-to-know basis.''
Project officials said before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that the public would not be given advance notice of the departure because of concerns about terrorism and demonstrations which could disrupt the journey.
The attacks prompted a moratorium on any movement of high-level radioactive waste and led West Valley project officials to re-evaluate their route and security procedures.
While awaiting shipment, the waste was stored on the rail cars in two large casks with nine-inch walls designed to withstand steep falls, engulfing fires, punctures and underwater pressure.
West Valley operated on a 30-acre site for six years until it was declared dangerous and inefficient in 1972. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation making the state and federal governments partners in the cleanup.
Carole Mongerson of the West Valley Citizens Task Force said she is happy the waste is gone and hopes remaining waste at the site is shipped soon. The watchdog group has been keeping tabs on the cleanup since it began.
''We knew it was due to go sometime and we're happy it's gone,'' she said, ''because West Valley is not a suitable place for all that waste to be kept.'' |
