In the US “low-level” radioactive waste includes all the commercial nuclear waste except irradiated fuel from nuclear reactors, the liquid and sludge from reprocessing and the solid into which that is converted. In most of Europe this same range of waste is considered “low” and “intermediate” level. Regardless, it includes the same long-lasting, deadly radionuclides as in high level radioactive waste and sometimes in even greater concentrations.

Despite no place or technology to isolate the waste as long as it is radioactively hazardous, the nuclear industry creates more and more.

UPDATE February 2008. A major US nuclear waste company, EnergySolutions, with a near monopoly on commercial nuclear waste treatment and disposal in the US, proposes large scale importation nuclear waste from Italy for processing and disposal in the US. This import license application is open for public comment until March 12, 2008. On February 28, 2008. over 50 national, state and local groups and individuals  requested an extension of 90 days for public comment and requests to intervene and hold hearings.

Congressmembers (Rep. Gordon and Rep.Matheson ), state legislators , a governor and newspapers have expressed concern and opposition.

A million cubic feet, 20,000 tons, and large amounts of radioactivity from the Italian nuclear industry facilities - what appears to be most of Italy’s “low” and intermediate level radioactive waste - could be brought around the globe to the US through the ports of Charleston, South Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana. It would then go to Memphis and Oak Ridge Tennessee for “processing” and the remains transported to Utah for burial.

Comments submitted so far and the docket can be viewed on the NRC website www.nrc.gov and searching in the electronic library ADAMS under the docket # 11005711.

ACTION NEEDED:

Comment to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to say NO to License Applications Nos. IW023 and XW013 (Federal Register Volume 73, Number 28, 2/11/08)

Send copies of your comments to your Congressmembers and Senators and to your State legislators especially if you are in TN, UT, LA, SC and states between and downwind.

Comment to NRC (secy@nrc.gov) re: Application No. IW023 by March 12, 2008; Contact NIRS (dianed@nirs.org) to join requests for hearing(s) and to intervene.

NIRS Alert: Oppose License Applications to Import Massive Amounts of Nuclear Power Waste from Europe to Burn, Melt, Transport and Dump in the US!

***

NIRS salutes the determined activists of South Carolina who have been waging a campaign to close the Barnwell "low-level" nuclear waste dump. A first step was accomplished in April when the South Carolina House committee on Agriculture and Environmental Affairs voted unanimously (with only 2 abstentions, including the bill sponsor) against a bill that would have allowed the dump to remain open to waste from all 50 states beyond the 2008 deadline that will close the site to all waste that does not originate in the interstate compact of South Carolina, New Jersey and Connecticut. Hats off! This is a significant barrel in the path of new nuclear power development! More info: www.dontwastesc.com. Article on Barnwell victory from Nuclear Monitor here.

“Low-level” is NOT low risk. NIRS Factsheet

What is “low-level” radioactive waste and how dangerous is it? Check out pages 49 to 52 of this GAO Report for the answers to these questions—Note that some so-called “low-level” radioactive waste can give a lethal dose in just 20 minutes if exposed unshielded, that “low-level” waste includes all the same radioactive elements as high-level radioactive waste such as plutonium, cesium, strontium and hundreds of others.

The Department of Energy did annual State-by-State Assessments of radioactive waste received at operating nuclear waste sites. These show the amount of radioactivity and volume that went to operating dumps that year and the category of generator. The vast majority both radioactivity and volume of “low-level” radioactive waste is from nuclear power, as indicated in these reports. Click on the year to see reports: 1995 , 1996 , 1997 .

Get Nuked for Life! If you are in the mood for a laugh, go here (Andrews Nuclear Waste Dump, Summer 2001).

Stop the Ward Valley Nuclear Dump. NIRS Alert. January 5, 1996.

TRANSPORT

Independant investigative journalist Mike Hopping's article "For Lack of a Database" on the North Carolina uranium truck roll-over on an I-40 entrance ramp. January 2007.

Great Lakes United Resolution on the Transport of the Intermidiate-Level Radioactive Waste in Canada. June 2002.

DECOMMISSIONING

Resolution by Great Lakes United calling for complete cleanup of West Valley radioactive waste and opposing the DOE’s threat to declassify high level reprocessing waste to “low-level (Waste Incidental to Reprocessing, WIR). June 06, 2004. For more on the declassification battle see http://ananuclear.org/HLWpage.html

November 5, 2002; NRC/EPA Decomissioning Agreement Falls Short of True Public Protection: Will Leave Radioactive Sites with Contaminated Water and Soil

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

1990 DOE inventory of commercial and federal “low-level” and mixed radioactive waste.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea:

South Korea is looking for a community to take the nuclear power waste from its 20 nuclear power plants. Here is some background information on the 2005 effort and a letter of support for the environmental groups and local residents from NIRS.