Radioactive Waste:
Read about CEC's stance on Radioactive Waste Disposal and Health
Letter in opposition to an independent scientific panel chosen by DOE and NYSERDA without public approval for the West Valley Nuclear Site Phase I Study Process
"We are writing to convey our complete opposition to a process that sets up a three member Panel to make final decisions regarding Phase I study issues raised by the public, subject matter experts and agencies. We understand that DOE and NYSERDA are moving forward with the establishment of this panel and with contracts to 3 specific panel members. A panel chosen by DOE and NYSERDA without public approval negates the entire concept of independent scientific review. Therefore, this so-called Independent Scientific Panel must be eliminated immediately from the Phase I study process.
In general, the process, as currently formulated, limits the effectiveness of public participation and increases the power of the agencies to obtain their desired pre-determined decisions. The agencies have scientific staff and the resources to hire additional scientific consultants. The agencies have no need for a new structure that brings scientific expertise to a public decision-making process. The process that has been so deficient is the public process. The so-called independent scientific panel does nothing to enhance public participation; nor, is it independent. A truly independent panel would serve the public interest, and have the capacity to hire truly independent scientific expertise..."
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Press Release: International Radioactive Waste Day
New York Groups call for Cleaning up Radioactive Waste & Contamination FIRST-- Say "No More Rad Waste, No New Nukes, No Reprocessing & No more $$$ for Nuclear Industry ......
Fund Cleanup First!"
"This is the message from New Yorkers on Radioactive Waste Day 2010 in solidarity with others threatened with nuclear waste across the country and around the world. Internationally Radioactive Waste Day September 29th is a reminder of nuclear waste problems around the world. The date was chosen to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the explosion of high level radioactive reprocessing waste in the Ural Mountains in Russia. Over 200 people died and dozens of villages were permanently evacuated.
In New York, which has more radioactive legacy sites than any other state in the nation, we are struggling to contain, isolate and clean up radioactive waste from decades of nuclear power and weapons...."
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WEST VALLEY REPORT RELEASED
"The Real Costs of Cleaning up Nuclear Waste:
A Full Cost Accounting of Clean Up Options for the West Valley Nuclear Waste Site"
Economists and scientists released a first-ever study today on the long-term cleanup costs for the West Valley nuclear waste site, located 30 miles south of Buffalo, NY. The Real Costs of Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste: A Full Cost Accounting of Cleanup Options for the West Valley Nuclear Waste Site, investigated the costs of digging up radioactive waste versus leaving waste buried onsite for the first 1,000 years. (The wastes will be dangerously radioactive for tens of thousands of years). The study revealed leaving buried waste at the site is both high risk and expensive while a waste excavation cleanup presents the least risk to a large population and the lowest cost.
Read Statement from Barbara Warren, Executive Director of Citizens’ Environmental Coalition at National Press Teleconference 12/2/08
Download:
Fact Sheet 1: Summary of Report Findings
Fact Sheet 2: History of West Valley
Fact Sheet 3: Severe Erosion Problems at West Valley
Fact Sheet 4: Drinking Water Costs and Public Health Impacts
Fact Sheet 5: Valuing the Future: The Viability of Institutional Controls
Fact Sheet 6: List of Proposed Nuclear Reprocessing Facilities
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West Valley Advocating Safe Radioactive Waste Cleanups
CEC is working with a coalition of groups to advocate for the permanent cleanup of the West Valley federal nuclear waste site, located approximately 30 miles south of Buffalo. Our partner groups include the local Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Wastes (CWVNW), Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS).
CEC and its partner groups were successful in obtaining funds from the NYS Legislature to conduct an independent economic and environmental study on the site, thanks to the sponsorship of Senator Catharine Young (R-Olean). CEC coordinates this innovative Full Cost Accounting study which is being conducted by economists and scientific experts from Tufts University, Synapse Energy Economics and SUNY Fredonia.
The Full Cost Accounting Study will investigate the costs of excavating and storing radioactive waste vs. monitoring leaking, buried waste which is hazardous for over tens of thousand years. The study can positively impact the Department of Energy's final cleanup decision making process which is starting later this year. CEC and our partner groups will release the study on December 2, 2008.
For information on West Valley Click here
A key goal of our campaign is to obtain a full and permanent cleanup of the West Valley site to protect drinking water and the Great Lakes Basin area of Western New York.
Join the West Valley Action Network and show your support for a full cleanup.
For more information, contact CEC Executive Director Barbara Warren at 518-462-5527 X13 or warrenba@msn.com
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Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Waste & Nuclear Information & Resource Service Mission Statement:
In the 1960's, Nuclear Fuel Services began dumping radioactive waste and reprocessing nuclear fuel in West Valley, New York, a small farming community 50 miles south of Buffalo. Following personal accounts of accidents, mishandling of high-level wastes and bad planning, the Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Waste was formed as a citizen's watchdog group. Thirty years and numerous radioactive leaks later, the Coalition is still demanding the long-term safety of the site.
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West Valley Coalition History and Accomplishments:
The formation of the CWVNW began in the 1960's, when then commercial reprocessing corporation, Nuclear Fuel Services, began dumping radioactive waste and reprocessing nuclear fuel in West Valley, New York, a small farming community 50 miles south of Buffalo. Following personal accounts of accidents, mishandling of high-level wastes and bad planning, the CWVNW was formed as a citizen's watchdog group. Thirty years and numerous radioactive leaks later, the group is still demanding the long-term safety of the site through waste exhumation and above ground storage. The CWVNW took legal action against the Department of Energy (DOE), which resulted in a requirement, that DOE provide ongoing technical information on cleanup plans and involve the public in waste management decisions at the site. CWVNW is the on-the-ground grassroots organization watch-dogging activities affecting the site, doing public education and building momentum for a full exhumation and cleanup.
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Articles/Links
Links to news articles and more infromation:
Radioactive Waste
