Lawmakers take no action on nuclear fuel storage

By Tom Coulter, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange
Posted 11/7/19

Legislators took no action on a plan to store spent nuclear fuel rods within Wyoming during a committee meeting Tuesday in Casper.

The discussion was spurred by a bill that would have authorized …

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Lawmakers take no action on nuclear fuel storage

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Legislators took no action on a plan to store spent nuclear fuel rods within Wyoming during a committee meeting Tuesday in Casper.

The discussion was spurred by a bill that would have authorized the governor to negotiate with the U.S. Department of Energy over the storage. But Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Casper, pulled the bill during the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee’s meeting. Anderson — who believes the waste could be a substantial source of revenue — said the governor’s office already has the authority to open negotiations.

Michael Pearlman, spokesman for Gov. Mark Gordon, said there have been no talks between Gordon and the Department of Energy. There is no time frame for the governor to make a decision on how to proceed, Pearlman added.

Last week, Gordon said he would wait to see the committee’s findings before making any decision.

“I don’t think it’s the best industry for Wyoming,” Gordon said, but he said he wouldn’t stand in the way if there was a good reason to store waste and adequate safeguards were in place.

Anderson said the state began exploring the possibility due to the budget crisis. Unless the state brings in $500 million to $1 billion in more revenue, “we’re going to have to start cutting K-12 education,” he said.

On Tuesday, several people spoke against the proposal, which Anderson said could bring more than 100 million pounds of nuclear waste. Colleen Whalen, spokeswoman for Wyoming Against Nuclear Dumps, worried about safety risks, saying a breached cask could prove deadly in a matter of seconds. Anderson said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission assured lawmakers of the precautions taken during transportation and storage, noting a 35-year record of safety.

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