nuclear-news

Long drawn out litigation over radioactive thorium wastes

Newfield toxic site in limbo as litigation still drags on Courier Post Feb. 22, 2014  “……The “slag pile,” which contains uranium and thorium, has been the center of a federal dispute since 2009. That’s when the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection regulatory authority over how Shieldalloy would dispose of its waste.

The corporation is fighting the state in federal court, arguing New Jersey’s demand that it move the waste from Newfield could bankrupt the company. Shieldalloy has appealed federal court rulings three times; its most recent appeal was filed in October.

Shieldalloy’s first proposed decommissioning plan for the federal Superfund site called for the waste to be capped on site with a protective barrier, a measure that is within the NRC’s regulations. The company estimates the cost near $14 million.

The safest solution is, and always has been, on-site capping under a suitable protective cover and long-term monitoring,” company spokesman Noah Lichtman said.

In contrast, the DEP wants the waste hauled by rail to a Utah dumping site. Shieldalloy claims the state plan would cost $30 million…..

The years of litigation have been frustrating, Carrow added, and pending appeals have silenced state and federal officials who once pledged their support in fighting Shieldalloy….http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20140223/NEWS01/302230016/Newfield-toxic-site-limbo-litigation-still-drags-on?nclick_check=1

February 24, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized