Berkley demands DOE tell state of NRC meetings

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley has asked the Energy Department for documentation of meetings it has held with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about Yucca Mountain. And she is demanding notice of future meetings.

In a letter sent Monday to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Berkley, D-Nev., said she is concerned that the two agencies are leaving Nevada officials out of important discussions and decisions about the nuclear waste dump project. The letter is similar to one sent by Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa last month.

Energy and NRC officials have said they have complied with laws about notifying state officials of meetings.

But Berkley said the Energy Department "has not fully abided by its obligations" under the law to keep Nevada officials apprised of all meetings.

Berkley cites examples of DOE-NRC meetings that have been referred to by Energy Department officials at public hearings. Margaret Chu, the Energy Department's Yucca chief, stated at a Sept. 10 meeting that her department had made commitments to the NRC about "roles, responsibilities, authority and accountability; Yucca project procedures, corrective actions and a safe working environment."

That was news to Nevada officials.

Berkley cites a document called "The Predisclosure Aircraft Hazard Plan and Map," sent by the Energy Department to the NRC but withheld from Nevada officials.

Berkley requested a list of meetings within the last three years, along with minutes and written materials exchanged by the two agencies. She also wants decisions and agreements made between the two agencies.

The Energy Department is the manager of the Yucca project that proposes to permanently bury the nation's high-level nuclear waste, mostly spent fuel from 103 nuclear power plants, at the site 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The department's relationship with the NRC is important to Nevada officials because the NRC would regulate the site, and because the NRC must approve a Yucca license before construction on the project begins.