Environmentalists are ready to battle

Friday, Jan. 11, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

Environmental groups say they will launch attacks on a number of fronts in their fight against a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham on Thursday notified Gov. Kenny Guinn that he plans to recommend the volcanic ridge as a permanent burial site for 77,000 tons of the nation's nuclear waste, which would be shipped from sites throughout the country.

Environmentalists plan to employ political backing, scientific evidence and the courts to battle the repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

"Abraham's recommendation has nothing to do with sound science and everything to do with corrupt politics," said Mary Olson of the Southeast office of the Nuclear Information & Resource Service in Asheville, N.C.

"Abraham and (the Energy Department) have completely ignored the risks of accidents or terrorist attacks upon nuclear waste shipments that could spew deadly radiation into the environment." NIRS nuclear waste specialist Kevin Kamps said.

Abraham's decision came less than a week after the secretary made his first visit to Yucca.

Kalynda Tilges, nuclear coordinator for Citizen Alert, a statewide environmental organization, wasn't surprised Abraham decided so quickly after seeing the site, under study by the Energy Department since 1987.

"Certainly, Secretary Abraham's visit (was) just for show," Tilges said. "This is not the end. This is the beginning of the real fight, and one we can absolutely win."

The state last month filed three lawsuits to thwart the repository.

"Wonder when they are going to send it (repository recommendation) to the Hill?" said Judy Treichel, director of the public information group Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force. "Probably before they (Congress) get back" Jan. 23.

Treichel said the DOE is determined to move ahead with the repository.

"I guess one war isn't enough for them," Treichel said, referring to the Bush administration's war on terrorism. "I guess they have to declare war on Nevada. And I was hoping it was going to be a better year."

National environmental organizations also are blasting Abraham's move.

"We are appalled that this administration is willing to sacrifice the public health and environmental safety for the narrow interests of the nuclear industry," said Lisa Gue, spokeswoman for Ralph Nader's Public Citizen Critical Mass Energy Project in Washington.

"Today we have an indication of a decision being made, and it is now time to hold those decision-makers responsible," Gue said.

Gue said problems regarding disposing of nuclear waste will go on as long reactors continue to operate.

"There will be at least five years' worth of waste at the reactors, because it is literally too hot to handle," she said.

Opponents were also quick to point out that Abraham has yet to release the final environmental impact statement, which is needed if the process is to move forward.

"This withholding of information by the DOE, which has not been made available, is because Yucca Mountain is a bad site for a repository," Gue said.

Marylia Kelly of Tri-Valley Care, an environmental group based in Northern California, said Nevadans aren't fighting alone.

"It's not only Nevadans who are outraged, but environmentalists across the country believe the DOE has not followed the process so far," she said.

"Nevada is not alone," Kelly said. "We all need to work on a solution together."