ML20266J873

Comment (4143) E-mail Regarding Holtec-CISF Draft EIS

ML20266J873
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: ML20266J873 (2)

Text

From: Megan Wilson <mcwilson3@gmail.com>

Sent: Monday, September 21, 2020 7:49 PM To: Holtec-CISFEIS Resource

Subject:

[External_Sender] Docket ID NRC-2018-0052 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to submit public comment in regards to Docket ID NRC-2018-0052. I am a resident of New Mexico and am opposed to the Holtec irradiated nuclear fuel Consolidated Interim Storage Facility. I am also writing to express my disappointment and outrage at the way the public comment period has been handled in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and ask that the comment period be extended to a time when the appropriate, and promised, public meetings can occur.

I particularly want to stress the injustice of the way the public comment period has been handled.

The current deadline extension is completely inadequate given that much of our state is still shut down, communities are busy dealing with a public health emergency and extreme economic disruption, and there was never an opportunity for in person meetings. Many New Mexicans are without reliable internet connection, and that is especially true in rural communities like the one where this facility would be built. So the change of in-person meetings to online webinars doesn't give all New Mexicans a fair chance to hear learn about the proposed project or to voice their opinions. A project of this scale and with such a high level of risk should not be done without the consent of the community that will have to live with it and the communities that will face risk in the transportation of nuclear waste.

I live in Albuquerque and have access to reliable internet in my home and at public locations nearby. So I planned to attend the second to last webinar and comment in protest of the process, voicing my concern at the lack of opportunity to comment for people who do not have the same access I do. However, I was unable to join the webinar. The platform/process for joining was confusing, extremely slow, and then asked for a registration number. There had been no mention of needing to register and I couldn't figure out how to do it. I tried phoning in and couldn't get through that automated system either.

The system of online webinars excludes so many New Mexicans from the process that it renders them completely meaningless. Furthermore, rushing this project through in the midst of a national health emergency is unacceptable. Moving forward with the project at this point does not give due diligence to affected communities being educated and asked for consent.

I urge you to extend the comment period indefinitely and give ample time to public education and comment after the pandemic is over.

I look forward at that point to re-submitting my comment to address my concerns around the project, which poses an unacceptable health and economic risk.

Sincerely, Megan Wilson

Federal Register Notice: 85FR16150 Comment Number: 4143 Mail Envelope Properties (CAP8HVoPk95nUw-05B5U_4o_UMDw0bEuD5D6xQLfxLCSzBPintQ)

Subject:

[External_Sender] Docket ID NRC-2018-0052 Sent Date: 9/21/2020 7:48:54 PM Received Date: 9/21/2020 7:49:11 PM From: Megan Wilson Created By: mcwilson3@gmail.com Recipients:

Post Office: mail.gmail.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 2712 9/21/2020 7:49:11 PM Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received: