State braces for possible battle over N-waste

[jpak]

http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=165181&zoneid=5

AUGUSTA, Maine — State officials are reacting to the possible need for a second federal nuclear waste site by preparing for another battle like that of 20 years ago, when Maine was on the list of possible locations before Yucca Mountain in Nevada was chosen as the first repository.

"The federal government has not taken the action it needs to take in terms of the issue, and I don’t know when it ever will," Gov. John Baldacci said in an interview. "But you have to be prepared, and we are."

The governor noted that the nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain has yet to be built, and the latest estimate is that it will not be completed for another 15 years. The waste from nuclear power plants — along with contaminated soil from closed plants such as Maine Yankee and other low-level material, such as contaminated protective clothing — all add up to more than 70,000 metric tons now being stored at temporary facilities.

By law, Yucca Mountain, once it is constructed, is limited to 70,000 metric tons. Even though the Department of Energy has proposed doubling its size, Congress has not acted to change the law.

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