Three US States Sue Over Storage of Nuclear Waste

23/02/2011 at 7:06 pm · Filed under Disposal of Waste, Human Action, Non-Atmospheric Pollution, Political and Corporate Action and tagged: Connecticut, Eric Schneiderman, New York, Nuclear Waste, President Obama, USA, Vermont

www.boston.com 16th February 2011

The northeastern states of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont are all suing federal regulators for their decision to extend the storage time of nuclear waste in power stations from 30 to 60 years. The legal action highlights one of the main problems in President Obama’s plans to increase the United States’ use of nuclear energy. Despite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission declaring the nuclear waste storage extension safe, the plaintiffs in the case claim ‘violates requirements for a review of health, safety, and environmental hazards’. “I am committed to forcing the feds to take the hardest look possible at the risks of long-term, on-site storage, before they allow our communities to become blighted and our families, properties, and businesses threatened,’’ said New York’s attorney general, Eric Schneiderman.

President Obama has outlined in his latest budget report and increase of $36 billion in federal loan guarantees to help finance the construction of new nuclear power plants across the country.

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