ML20268C236
| ML20268C236 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | HI-STORE |
| Issue date: | 09/22/2020 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| NRC/NMSS/DREFS | |
| References | |
| 85FR16150 | |
| Download: ML20268C236 (3) | |
Text
From: M.L. Vetter <drmlv@icloud.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 3:56 PM To: Holtec-CISFEIS Resource
Subject:
[External_Sender] 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 September 22, 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 Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC):
I am writing because I am opposed not only the to the Holtec plan to bring all of the nations commercial high-level radioactive waste to New Mexico, but to the bringing any such waste to the state. I agree with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's statement that the Holtec project poses significant and unacceptable risks to New Mexicans, our environment and our economy.
Also, because the waste is being shipped to its ultimate destination by rail due to the weight once it is consolidated, I am very concerned about how the smaller amounts of waste will be transported safely to the sites of consolidation. Bringing it by road has the obvious possibility for tragic accidents. Even more concerning, however, is transporting it by barge across large bodies of water such as Lake Michigan, which provides drinking water for millions of people, including those in my home area of greater Chicago. An accident of even one of those barges releasing such waste in a body of water such as Lake Michigan risks contaminating one of the major fresh water sources in the United States.
Holtec says that it wants to use the site for 120 years, but 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, it would seem much safer for this to be done for the next 40 years instead of packaging the waste and shipping it by railroad through dozens of states - mostly highly populated - to New Mexico. Moreover, since there is no permanent disposal site, it is not credible to say that the waste at the Holtec site would ever leave.
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.
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.
Thank you very much for considering and responding to my comments.
M. Vetter, PhD, MD 413 S East Ave Oak Park, Il 60302
Federal Register Notice: 85FR16150 Comment Number: 4446 Mail Envelope Properties (5DEE18B8-7967-4D88-938C-CA7F435CC550)
Subject:
[External_Sender] 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 Sent Date: 9/22/2020 3:56:19 PM Received Date: 9/22/2020 3:56:22 PM From: M.L. Vetter Created By: drmlv@icloud.com Recipients:
Post Office: icloud.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3235 9/22/2020 3:56:22 PM Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:
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