Nuke waste prompts legislative action
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 11:57 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- An increased amount of low-level nuclear waste is being shipped to the Nevada Test Site for storage, and that concerns some state legislators.
The Legislative Interim Finance Committee Tuesday gave approval to the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety to accept $340,000 in federal funds to be disbursed to six counties, including Clark, to develop response plans in case of an emergency involving the shipments.
Richard Kirkland, new DMV director, said he personally "stumbled" on the program recently.
Patrick Cameron of the state Emergency Management Division, said the amount of waste is increasing each year and could hit $1.3 million cubic feet by 2003. But he said it may decrease to 794,0000 in 2004.
Some of the waste is stored at the Test Site and later shipped to New Mexico for permanent burial.
"We need a complete report so it doesn't get out of hand," Rawson said. The low-level waste, he said was stored in metal boxes and dumped in trenches 14 to 20 feet deep at the Test Site. He said the waste is contained.
Kirkland said he has been told by the Nevada Highway Patrol that it is stored according to federal regulations. He said there is more "(waste) than we understood. I will get a detailed report on what is going on."
Sen. Lawrence Jacobson, R-Minden, said he and other lawmakers have visited the burial site in New Mexico. While they were there, three shipments arrived from Nevada.
"It's an ideal storage site for low-level waste," he said.
Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, advising that the waste destined for the Test Site should not be confused with high-level radioactive waste that would go to Yucca Mountain if it is approved as a burial site, said "there is still a concern about what is coming in."
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- The pull of a drug, a push to the brink
- Was there an ulterior motive in parking the stripper-mobile?
- CityCenter hotel welcomes new employees with gala
- Forrest Griffin writes his own ending at UFC 106
- Notebook: The Shark and LJ circle
- Police arrest 2 more in fatal shooting of Metro officer
- Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill
- What might result from a national airing of Ensign’s dirty laundry
- Politicians waste no time spinning latest jobless numbers
- Illness theory gaining ground for gambling addiction
Blogs
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
DWTS Finale: Top three couples perform three dances
High School Sports Scene
How Gorman saved the school district thousands
Politics: Ralston's Flash
GOP consultants Rogich, Ernaut back Democratic AG's re-election (1 Comment)
Audio: Ex-Gov. Bob List accuses Harry Reid of "abuse of power" on health care
Now and Then
Michael Schumacher takes 7th in go-kart race at Rio
The Kats Report
Monday List: 20 at 20, a quick look at The Mirage on a landmark birthday (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny’s correct prediction of Osmond vs. Osbourne
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
-
DJ Scooter at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Fabolous's birthday at Jet
Jet | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Mixology Monday at Downtown Cocktail Room
Downtown Cocktail Room | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
DJ Red at Tabu
Tabú Ultralounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati













