nuclear-news

Legal battle over Yucca nuclear waste plan

Yucca lives? Nuclear waste dump not dead yet. Vegas Review Journal, 7 May 12  “…..Last week, a federal appeals court heard arguments on whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission broke the law when it stopped moving forward with a licensing plan for the potential nuclear waste dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas…

… The case before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia involved a lawsuit filed by states – including Washington and South Carolina – that seek to get rid of nuclear waste currently being stored at power plants within their boundaries.

At issue is whether the Obama administration overstepped its authority by canceling the Yucca Mountain Project in 2009, leading the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to abandon licensing hearings.

The states argue that Congress has never repealed the 1982 legislation that created the project – known here as the Screw Nevada bill – so the process must go forward by law…… A ruling is expected later this year. Perhaps the judges will agree that Congress has essentially acted by refusing to appropriate funds for the endeavor in the current budget year. If not, the Yucca Mountain battle may continue.
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/yucca-lives-nuclear-waste-dump-not-dead-yet-150557735.html

May 10, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal, USA