Nuclear Waste problems are bigger for SC than most states. The fed gvt established the Sav River Site (SRS) in 1950. Five nuclear reactors on site produced plutonium & tritium for nuclear weapons plus more. By 1988 all reactors were closed. The site is located on the Sav River, the border between SC & GA & consists of almost 200,000 acres-& is just 25 mi SE of Augusta-GA & 20 mi south of Aiken. For cleanup (after it was discovered to be necessary due to substandard construction), it was decided to dispose of the plutonium w/high-level waste at the proposed Yucca Mountain repository (see McClatchy-Tribune news report of 5-2-09). To that end, SC has so far paid out $1.2B (of the $10Bil) to create the YuccaMtn dump (w/a surcharge on our electrical power bills). Pres Obama’s administration –although supporting more nuclear power production, has recently pulled the plug on the Y Mtn waste repository despite the fact that Bils of $ have been spent on study & production….leaving hi-level nuclear waste pilling up at 80 sites across the nation. Gov Sanford is concerned about the massive quantities of this high level waste stored at the SRS. In an article from the Post & Courier, 2/18, “our legislators want to stop paying the fed gvt if it doesn’t open the site in Nev & send the money to a state acct to create our own dump.. Several articles (in 5 nearby newspapers on MANY days) carried articles on this Y Mtn facility & SCs position. According to the Gaz, 2/25, our Atty Gen H McMaster says he will file a petition with the Nuclear Reg Commission for permission to intervene in a dispute over the site - probably will be suing the gvt over it. In the meantime, 2 new nuclear plants will get US guarantee loans. They will get roughly $8Bil for 2 new nuclear reactors on the GA, SC border (creating 1000 jobs & reduce greenhouse gases) at the Vogtle Generating Station plants in Burke, GA about 20 mi from Allendale & across the Sav River from the Dept of Energy’s Sav River site! SCEG & Santee Cooper are also seeking permits to build 2 new units just north of Columbia & they are still waiting to hear whether their $9.8 project will also get similar fed backing. BUT WHERE WILL THE WASTE GO? Another question that bothers us is, what about the use of the Sav River water – which we NEED for drinking, etc. Nuclear plants rapidly evaporate millions of gals/per day which are not returned to the river. We are already facing problems with upstate cities trying to divert some of that water…& what about the next drought?
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