ML20266G299
| ML20266G299 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | HI-STORE |
| Issue date: | 09/21/2020 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| NRC/NMSS/DREFS | |
| References | |
| 85FR16150 | |
| Download: ML20266G299 (3) | |
Text
From:
Basia Miller <basia.miller5@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, September 21, 2020 4:00 PM To:
Holtec-CISFEIS Resource
Subject:
[External_Sender] My Comments on the Holtec proposal Date - September 21, 2020 TO: Holtec-CISFEIS@nrc.gov
Subject:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for HOLTEC Internationals Application for a Consolidated Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High Level Waste; Docket ID NRC-2018-0052
Dear Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC):
I strongly oppose the Holtec plan to bring all of the nations commercial high-level radioactive waste to New Mexico, and I oppose bringing any such waste to the state. I agree with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that the Holtec project poses significant and unacceptable risks to New Mexicans, our environment and our economy. This operation should be halted.
While Holtec says that it wants to use the site for 120 years, the DEIS limits its analysis to 40 years. That is clearly inadequate and not technically credible. Since the NRC has found that waste can safely remain where it is for at least 120 years, that is clearly wiser for the next 40 years than packaging the waste and shipping by railroad through dozens of states - mostly in the eastern half of the nation - to New Mexico.
There is no conceivable purpose in shipping the waste to Holtec. It has the appearance of a boondoggle. The DEIS is incomplete because it does not show the rail lines that are expected to be usedor, since the planning has not gotten that far, the DEIS should have waited.
Moreover, since there is no permanent disposal site, it is not credible to say that the waste at the Holtec site would ever leave. I believe the absence of a permanent repository makes it illegal to ship the waste to Holtec.
Have you looked into Holtecs background? Do you have an estimate of the actual investment in time of farming out this inconceivably long and breathtakingly large project.
Please do everything you can to halt this operation.
The fact that Holtecs plan to have the federal government own and pay for waste transportation is not legal under current law is not discussed in the DEIS. Holtec has stated that it is lobbying Congress to change the law, but NRC is not supposed to engage in such lobbying, even though the agency gives the appearance of supporting such a change in the law by supporting the Holtec plan.
The expectation that New Mexico will operate emergency stations 24/7 during the next decade or so is beyond the states financial capacity. It is also not realistic. The devastation that could befall the state from a single accident is beyond calculating.
I am disappointed that NRC did not keep its promise for five or more in-person meetings in New Mexico.
Instead NRC held inadequate and technologically challenged virtual meetings where many people did not have access; if they were able to access the meeting, they had trouble hearing the speakers; and there were delays of up to five minutes between speakers.
I agree with Senators Udall and Heinrich that there is no compelling public interest reason to justify this rush to replace meetings with virtual webinars, and this decision gives the Commission the appearance of valuing the preferences of a for-profit company looking to store highly dangerous nuclear waste over that of the public and their elected representatives.
I also agree with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham who opposes the Holtec project because it poses significant and unacceptable risks to New Mexicans, our environment and our economy.
Thank you for considering and responding to my comments.
Basia Miller, Ph.D 2848 Vereda de Pueblo Santa Fe, NM 87507
Federal Register Notice:
85FR16150 Comment Number:
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