From Deseret News archives:
Don't dawdle with tailings
To the folks in Moab, it's no joke.
Less than two years ago, the Department of Energy announced it had agreed to remove about 16 million tons of radioactive waste left over from uranium milling that took place between 1956 and 1984 and that the project would begin in 2007 and take seven years to 10 years. But now the department says it will take until 2028, instead.
Utah Rep. Jim Matheson said last week he is shocked and he wants answers. We share his concern.
The decision to move the tailings was made because DOE research found that the tailings have already begun to leach between the waste pile and the Matheson Preserve, which is located across the Colorado River. The river, in other words, is not acting as a barrier to the contaminants, and that could be bad news indeed. Even Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman has been quoted as saying the river is "the lifeblood of the Southwest."
Now, however, he seems content to allow a threat to this river to remain for another 20 years.
All of this would seem to argue for a prompt removal. Instead, the government now says it has other priorities that deserve much of the funding this would require.
The cleanup is indeed expensive. Estimates two years ago were that it would take up to $400 million. More recent estimates are of at least $500 million. The removal will require an ongoing commitment from the federal government.
Government officials are arguing that the public is better served by a deliberate and thorough process. But that sounds a lot like bureaucratic nonsense. Matheson wants to know why the initial contract calls for removing only 2.5 million tons of waste over five years, rather than the whole pile. That's a good question.
To get the DOE to decide in favor of moving the waste took a strong lobbying effort by Utah's congressional delegation and other interested parties. Apparently, that work has to continue.
Comments
- Know any RMs playing in the FBS? 11:52 a.m.
- Dead Poets Society founder on tour 11:51 a.m.
- Considering adoption? 11:49 a.m.
- Social events become solitary 11:43 a.m.
- USA Today poll 11:33 a.m.
- US says sanctions possible for Iran 11:13 a.m.
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd 11:12 a.m.
- French, Afghan troops push on 10:47 a.m.
- In quieter Baghdad, bingo is back 10:45 a.m.
- Germans ID convert as terror suspect 10:44 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
359 - BYU happy to escape with victory
210 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
175 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Sloan may toy with starting lineup
87
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
but I have a co-worker who does, so congrats, I guess. (I might start caring...
Anonymous, notice no comments from Crazy Man. If you remember Crazy Man...
If you didn't notice there is just as much stupid smack talk coming from Ute...
before, the Cougs will win an NCAA tourney game before the utes will. After...
Good for you. Glad to see you can add, u of u education at it's best. But you...
It's not just the LDS church that is growing quickly in some parts of Africa...
Go RSL! The world's most popular sport, for a reason...billions of people...
...Ugly loss!
I am a member of the LDS Church and I also support the Proclamation to the...
I agree with Anonymous, your point of haters is right on. Interesting that...


You can be the first to comment on this story.