nuclear-news

Nuclear waste – a heavy burden on the public of New Mexico

WIPP: New panels to dispose of nuclear waste, Adrian Hedden Carlsbad Current-Argus . 3 Sept 21, Two new spaces to hold nuclear waste were planned to be built at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and they could be slightly bigger to allow for equipment needed to handle higher radioactive waste.

The proposal for the new panels came as officials worked to replace disposal capacity they said was lost during an accidental radiological release in 2014.

In 2014, a mispackaged drum of waste in WIPP’s underground repository ruptured, releasing radiation into the air of the underground and contaminating multiple areas of the facility.

Storage space was lost in three panels where transuranic (TRU) waste – comprised of clothing materials and equipment irradiated during nuclear activities – is permanently disposed of, and officials believed the site would need two additional panels to replace the lost space……………………….

The new panels will also be separated by 300 feet of rock, compared with 200 feet for the additional panels, and abutment pillars to support the rock above and assist with ground control will be 400 feet wide compared to 200 feet in the past.

…………….. Joni Arends for Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety argued the DOE was holding multiple PMR processes at once, efforts that appeared rushed and creating a challenge for the public to keep track and provide adequate analysis.

………….. Along with the replacement panels, WIPP was also conducting a PMR for a new utility shaft which was hoped to be approved later this year after a temporary authorization (TA) to build the shaft was not renewed last year by NMED which cited rising COVID-19 infections at the site.

Meanwhile, a 10-year renewal of WIPP’s operations permit was ongoing with a decision from NMED expected to be issue next year.

“The burden on the public is becoming heavier and heavier,” Arends said. “I do need to make a comment that the burden the DOE is putting on the people of New Mexico is a heavy burden.” https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/local/2021/09/03/new-panels-wipp-bigger-hold-more-radioactive-nuclear-waste/5689186001/

September 4, 2021 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, wastes