ML20044E755
| ML20044E755 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Claiborne |
| Issue date: | 04/26/1993 |
| From: | Blumenthal C AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| To: | Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9305260093 | |
| Download: ML20044E755 (1) | |
Text
0926/93 12:36 C215 898 0201 DERMPATH-CRB
@ 001/001 Carel Pin.1<y Blumenthal 313 Rodmen Reed Philhp. He hi.
s Wilmington, Delewere 19809 Monday, April 26,1993 MrIvan Selim Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington,DC 20555
Dear Mr Selim:
I am writing to ask that the NRC licensing board deny Louisiana Energy Services application to construct a uranium enrichment facility in Homer, Louisiana. Louisiana and the delta area has a history of chemical plants and toxic dumps not to mention several superfund sites. It would seem totally irresponsible to add to the already burdened area by adding yet another potentially dangerous site. Funhermore,it does not seem warranted to build yet another plant when Department of Energy plants are opemting at only 50% capacity and the price for DOE uranium is less than that suggested by LES. The process by which LES proposes to separate U-235 from U-238, by centrifuges, is one that can be used to make enriched uranium needed for nuclear weapons. A Senate subcommittee is investigating reports that four separate Urenco enrichment centrifuge designed were discovered by UN investigators in Iraq. The DOE is using advanced techniques that pose no threat to weapons proliferaton.
The proposed plant will be discharging water into the Lake Claiborne watershed. Within 5 miles of this facility,40 homes rely on wells for their drinking water. A retirement community surrounds the shores of Lake Claibome. If there is an accidental discharge of UF6, how will these elderly residents flee toxic hydrogen fluoride? Many elderly residents do not have transportation or are unable to drive at night.
There has also been raised questions of environmental racism. There appears to be a nationwide pattern, of siting hazardous waste dumps and dangerous industrial operations in economically and politically disadvantaged communities. Is this yet another example of the same?
Mr Selin, there are certainly enough good reasons for the NRC to deny LES' application; however i personally cannot find a single reason why we need a privately owned uranium enrichment plant.
Sincerely, oh Carol Pinsky Blumenthal I 0 1
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