nuclear-news

Close relationship between the state of Nevada and radioactive waste company

Nuclear repository fire shines light on Nevada’s waste, Las Vegas Sun,  By Kyle Roerink (contact), Oct. 23, 2015 A fire at a nuclear waste dump in Beatty did more than just snarl traffic — it shone a light on the close relationship between the state of Nevada and the company that runs the low-level repository.

The state, which leases 80 acres to US Ecology, charges the company a fee for every shipment of waste to the waste and treatment facility. Over the last five years, fees have totaled more than $10 million, said JoAnn Kittrell, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The hazardous materials storage site is almost full and the company may lease more land from the state. An agreement is in the works that would increase the site by 400 acres and extend the facility’s lifespan by at least 20 years, said David Crumrine, a spokesman for US Ecology.

Environmental Protection Agency documents from 2012 showed the company was allowed to store up to 87,400 gallons of chemicals in tanks and containers and treat 137,000 gallons of chemical waste every day. It also disposed of at least 808 million gallons of waste there………Beatty has a close relationship with US Ecology, which has donated money to the town’s senior center, volunteer fire department and Chamber of Commerce. ……http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/oct/23/nuclear-repository-fire-shines-light-on-nevadas-wa/

October 26, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general