Nuclear waste issues in Buffalo date back to 1972 when the West Valley nuclear fuel-reprocessing unit closed. At the time, 600,000 gallons of nuclear waste were stored in barrels and put out of sight, but not out of mind. Six years later, nearby residents noticed contamination, and the Department of Energy was forced to pick up most of the cleaning bill. Now, the department wants to pass off the responsibilities to the state in order to start cutting costs.
The debate revolves around the proper way to store the waste. State officials want to bury it in concrete underground while environmentalists want to have it in concrete above ground with the storehouses constantly monitored.
Environmentalists say nuclear waste, when stored underground, can seep in to watersheds and drinking water. That has happened in the past, so it is a legitimate concern. Their preferred solution is above-ground concrete storage that would require maintenance, monitoring and security, something the government wants to avoid.
The department's proposed solution of burying the waste clearly has shortfalls. There is no long-term analysis, and over that span, there are many bad scenarios that can occur and have occurred in the past. While they would save money, it would be at the potential cost of human lives, and they need to reconcile.
The issues raised by the environmentalists are important and should be addressed. The government must consider the health of the residents and the regional watershed before committing to their project.
Waste containment should not be a party issue. Everyone needs to be committed to making sure that the primary bins are safe and the secondary storage areas are also secure. Since these solutions will cost money, the question of nuclear energy being cost efficient on the whole is also questionable.
Until a method to dispose totally of nuclear waste is discovered, the debate will continue to remain. The issues of long and short-term safety must be addressed soon, so plans can be enacted quickly to prevent further damage. The department cannot be complacent with the funding for the relief, as cutting costs will cause even more problems.
The work of the independent UB professionals regarding this project is an important step for both sides, and both must adhere to results. Now that all of the issues are on the table, it is time to sit down and talk. Costs and benefits must be outlined and a rational plan must be presented that addresses the security and safety of residents.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
