It’s taken them long enough fighting things out in the courts, but yesterday’s announcement by the Governor about the waste cleanup at the site must be a good thing, at least for Idaho.
Watching the news and seeing Cecil Andrus along with Phil Batt and Butch Otter praising the same thing, I thought to myself, “This must be a solid political solution.”
While I don’t know exactly how much danger is posed to the aquifer by the six or seven acres of waste — and I tend to think it’s probably overblown by the environmentalists – I think most would agree that it’s better for all of us to have it moved out over the next few years.
Another question I have that I’m sure someone on here can answer… could this waste be used by Areva for their future Uranium enrichment?
Anyway, while I hate to admit it, I think our elected officials were looking out for us on this one.
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It WAS all he had to say about it!
:@:)
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I didn’t know much about this story, so I thought I’d look it up.
Here is information on it:
http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=8588161
yeah, but where are they taking it? Somebody else’s backyard? Even with it being removed, the residue from all the years of this waste being buried there will have an impact on our area for hundreds of years aftter we’re all gone anyways.
I agree that it seems we have won a battle…but I’m also wondering, will they really do as they promised?
Ole Cecil may actually be dead and buried before that waste is moved…but at least he gets to hear the Feds agree to move it…
Good point about Areva, but seriously, I hope it’s gone before 2018, and isn’t that the target date for them?
> Another question I have that I’m sure someone on here can answer…
> could this waste be used by Areva for their future Uranium enrichment?
No.
The Areva plant will use centrifuges to separate U235 from U238. The uranium is in the form of uranium hexafluoride gas, which has a high degree of purity. See http://tinyurl.com/5j3vzm
The waste in question is largely composed of trash that has been contaminated in the processing of fuel or weapons manufacturing.
It’s most transuranic waste that is buried out there. Most of the stuff is equipment and artifacts that have been exposed to radiation like gloves, paint cans, uniforms, metal and other items. The waste will primarily be shipped to the WIPP facility in NM.
Unfortunately, this type of waste is not even close candidate for processing in a facility like Areva’s.
That seems reasonable, it’s not like there’s sludge that can be processed, if it’s equipment and supplies that have been exposed, instead.
Thanks for the clarification.