Bellefonte means beautiful spring, unless the TVA and NU-Start have their way. If the reactor project is approved, there will be a Radioactive Waste Dump less than 5 miles from Scottsboro. A few facts provided by the NIRS, http://www.nirs.org/radwaste/radwaste.htm , more info on waste concerning Bellefonte from the NIRS:
As of June 30, 2008, no facility in the United States will be licensed and able to accept for disposal, Class B, C or Greater-Than-C radioactive waste from the Bellefonte nuclear and power reactors. The applicant (TVA/Nu-Start) fails to offer a viable plan for how to dispose of Class B, C and Greater than-C so-called "low-level" radioactive waste generated in the course of operations, closure and post closure of Bellefonte 3 & 4.
The statement of fact is that applicant, TVA, fails to address how NRC regulations for the disposal of so-called "low-level" radioactive waste will be met in the absence of a disposal facility (dump). This issue must be addressed in order for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to grant an operating license with credibility. If perpetual or extended on-site storage of these wastes is to be the "fall back," then this must be addressed in the COL application and is not. Since there is no off site part 61 licensed disposal available, extended on site storage becomes defacto on-site disposal. This could significantly increase the safety and security risks of the Bellefonte site. Therefore serious consideration must be given to licensing the site itself under 10 CFR Part 61 (licensed permanent radioactive waste disposal) or Alabama’s compatible agreement state regulations. It is imperative that the safety and security issues of extended on-site storage, defacto disposal, be addressed prior to generation of the waste because the "low-level" radioactive waste for which there is no disposal available is the hottest, most concentrated waste in the category.
As of June 30, 2008, no facility in the United States will be licensed and able to accept for disposal, Class B, C or Greater-Than-C radioactive waste from the Bellefonte nuclear and power reactors. The applicant (TVA/Nu-Start) fails to offer a viable plan for how to dispose of Class B, C and Greater than-C so-called "low-level" radioactive waste generated in the course of operations, closure and post closure of Bellefonte 3 & 4.
The statement of fact is that applicant, TVA, fails to address how NRC regulations for the disposal of so-called "low-level" radioactive waste will be met in the absence of a disposal facility (dump). This issue must be addressed in order for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to grant an operating license with credibility. If perpetual or extended on-site storage of these wastes is to be the "fall back," then this must be addressed in the COL application and is not. Since there is no off site part 61 licensed disposal available, extended on site storage becomes defacto on-site disposal. This could significantly increase the safety and security risks of the Bellefonte site. Therefore serious consideration must be given to licensing the site itself under 10 CFR Part 61 (licensed permanent radioactive waste disposal) or Alabama’s compatible agreement state regulations. It is imperative that the safety and security issues of extended on-site storage, defacto disposal, be addressed prior to generation of the waste because the "low-level" radioactive waste for which there is no disposal available is the hottest, most concentrated waste in the category.
Let's take a moment and ask ourselves. Is this really what we want to leave our children, grandchildren and future generations of Scottsboro citizens, a legacy of Radioactive Nuclear Waste?