ML18290A801
| ML18290A801 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Consolidated Interim Storage Facility |
| Issue date: | 10/11/2018 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/FCSS |
| NRC/NMSS/FCSS | |
| References | |
| 83FR44922 | |
| Download: ML18290A801 (3) | |
Text
1 WCS_CISFEISCEm Resource From:
Robert A. Mertz <no1ramertz@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, October 11, 2018 6:51 PM To:
WCS_CISFEIS Resource
Subject:
[External_Sender] Docket No. 72-1050; NRC-2016-0231 Waste Control Specialists LLCs
/ ISPs Consolidated Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility Project
Dear Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
I am a retired science teacher. I spent thirty one years teaching Biology, Environmental Earth Science and Wildlife Management classes in the public school systems of three states. My education was first as a Biologist, teaching came later. I have a Master of Science degree in Biology. As a biologist I am concerned with the effects our large human population is having on the sustainability of our Earth's life support systems. Although there are some impressive natural systems that help to stabilize the living environment on our planet, there are limits to how much abuse these systems can withstand. The fossil records show that in the past there have been several major disruptions of these systems. Today the biggest threat to our space ship Earth comes from the activities of us humans. Our continued population growth combined with the crazy notion that there must always be an expanding economy is a sure-fired prescription for disaster. Misguided economic policies are in direct conflict with the natural limits of Earth. Our finite planet can not provide unlimited resources to allow us to continue on the path we are on.
We must make decisions based on sound ecological principles if we are to bequeath our children and grandchildren with a place to live that is both sustainable and interesting. It will be a tragedy of monstrous proportions if our shortsighted way of making decisions degrades the world that our children inherent. The wonderful diversity of living creatures and wild unspoiled natural places must be preserved for them. It seems that we are unaware that the wild natural places are the ultimate infrastructure of the planet. The natural ecosystems stabilize the atmospheric gasses and maintain our freshwater systems. Our present economic systems of continued growth are nothing more than a Ponzi scheme in which our decedents will be left with nothing of value.
I am writing today to request that you help address one of the issues that will affect future generations, including our two sons and our wonderful eight year old granddaughter and her little sister, born in October. Our other son and wife a new baby son. Please try to throw off the short term considerations and take action that will address the long term welfare of humankind. The welfare of all of our children are depending on us.
I urge you to reject the proposal by Waste Control Specialists and its partner to import up to 40,000 tons of high-level radioactive waste from nuclear reactors around the country and store it in Andrews County for 40 years or longer.
Exposure to this dangerous waste can lead to cancers, genetic damage, birth defects and even death. Homeowners insurance doesnt cover radioactive contamination. Importing high-level radioactive waste would create risks to public health, safety and financial well-being.
The NRC has not held a single public meeting on the revised application. The NRC held only one meeting in Texas on the original application, and that was in Andrews, hundreds of miles from major cities that would be impacted by rail transport of radioactive waste. Resolutions opposing the radioactive waste plans and transport were passed by Dallas, Bexar, Nueces and Midland counties and the cities of San Antonio and Denton, but the public has not been given an opportunity to speak out in NRC public hearings.
2 Please extend public intervention and public comment deadlines by at least 180 days to allow for public input, and host public meetings in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Midland and Andrews - and other locations that would be impacted by this proposal.
The WCS Environmental Report is inadequate. It should be expanded to clearly identify:
- Transportation routes that would be used across the country; *Risks to groundwater and the nearby Ogallala Aquifer, which lies beneath eight states, providing drinking water and water for agriculture, ranching and wildlife; *The impacts of temperature extremes, wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, lightning and shifting ground (as reported in recent Southern Methodist University studies) on radioactive waste casks and canisters; *The environmental injustice of dumping high-level radioactive waste on the largely Hispanic West Texas region; and *The adequacy of financial assurances, the stability of J.F. Lehman, the new WCS owner, and the ties of partner Orano (which has a 51 percent project share) to the French government.
Improved monitoring, security and worker protections are needed, and the emergency plan should include actions to be taken in the event of an accident, not just a notification structure. It appears there are no viable plans for action should an emergency arise.
Sending radioactive waste to this site would risk public health and security for residents near the site and along transportation routes. An inadequate permanent disposal site could be created since its likely that the waste will never get moved to a permanent repository. This waste will be dangerous for a million years. Storing it for decades above ground in extreme climate conditions is too risky. In the interest of our public health and safety, this license should be denied.
Thank you for your consideration of my concerns.
Sincerely, Robert A. Mertz 25276
Federal Register Notice:
83FR44922 Comment Number:
19656 Mail Envelope Properties (1135570977.4542.1539298259641.JavaMail.tomcat)
Subject:
[External_Sender] Docket No. 72-1050; NRC-2016-0231 Waste Control Specialists LLCs / ISPs Consolidated Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility Project Sent Date:
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10/11/2018 6:51:06 PM From:
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