ML18127A065
| ML18127A065 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | HI-STORE |
| Issue date: | 05/01/2018 |
| From: | Rufe L - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch |
| References | |
| 83FR13802 00050, NRC-2018-0052 | |
| Download: ML18127A065 (2) | |
Text
PUBLIC SUBMISSION Docket: NRC-2018-0052 As of: 5/4/18 10:55 AM Received: May O 1, 2018 Status: Pending_Post Tracking No. lk2-92wm-z01n Comments Due: May 29, 2018 Submission Type: Web Holtec International HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Project SUNSI Review Complete Template= ADM-013 E-RIDS=ADM-03 Comment On: NRC-2018-0052-0001 Holtec International HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Project Document: NRC-2018-0052-DRAFT-0041 Comment on FR Doc # 2018-06398 Submitter Information Name: Laurie Rufe General Comment ADD= Antoinette Walker Smith JILL Caverly {jscl)
COMMENT~
PUBICATION DATE:
3/30/2018 CITATION# 83 FR 13802 In response to the Holtec International HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Project and to NRC-2018-0052, please accept these comments:
I am advocating that the NRC takes the "No-Action Alternative" and denies the Holtec application to construct and operate a HI-STORE facility to temporarily (40 years or more) stor,e spent nuclear rods in Lea County, New Mexico, 32 miles east of Carlsbad and 34 miles west of Hobbs, New Mexico. The terrain is open range land mainly developed by the oil industry.
These oil fields are important to the economy of southeastern New Mexico and that of New Mexico in general.
New Mexico is currently the site ofWIPP, nearby the site of the proposed Holtec facility, and recently had a leak that closed the plant down due to the release of radiation. This is a much lower level site, yet it had a leak when we, as citizens of New Mexico, were told that a leak could never happen at WIPP. The very same thing could happen at the Holtec site.
New Mexicans should not have to live in fear of radioactive contamination and destruction of our environment, water, wildlife, and human habitation. We, as a state, do not have nuclear reactors nor stockpiles of nuclear waste ( other than that which we store for the federal government at WIPP). We need no more nuclear waste brought into our state -- especially high level waste.
Being brought to southeastern New Mexico from sites across the US, presumably mainly by rail, this high level hazard will travel through various metropolitan and rural areas. A serious question is about the quality of the infrastructure (railroads) that would be relied upon.
Our national infrastructure is already a disaster waiting to happen across America -- why should I feel safe? I do not see anything in the proposal that addresses routes, means of transportation, analysis of safety of infrastructure involved, and security for such concerns as hijacking and terrorist activities. The environmental report does not adequately address the transportation and security risks that
- could have devastating effects anywhere in the US. And, there were only four public comment meetings --
three held in New Mexico (Roswell, Hobbs, and Carlsbad) and one in Washington, DC. Do the millions of Americans in states from which these shipments originate and through which travel will occur, even know that this is going on? No! Is this purposefully withholding critical information from the general public, all in the interest ofHoltec dumping nuclear waste in New Mexico -- a poor state in general, and the southeastern section of the state economically challenged. The hundred or so jobs created does not adequately impact the economy in a positive way, and if there should be an accident, it would destroy all of New Mexico. And, Holtec makes the money in this deal.
I am told, should an accident occur, it could be hundreds of times worse than Chernobyl or Hiroshima in terms of the release of radioactive isotopes.
There needs to be more investigation into alternative solutions.