Company Seeks Nuclear Waste Dump

[GACMail98@aol.com]

Company Seeks Nuclear Waste Dump

.c The Associated Press

 DALLAS (AP) - A company seeking federal approval to establish a dump for low-
level nuclear waste despite state opposition has hit snags in the courts and
the Energy Department, The Dallas Morning News reported today.

At issue are millions of dollars in contracts to bury about 2 million cubic
meters of waste generated by the cleanup of the Cold War nuclear-arms race.
The Energy Department requires companies bidding for the job to have a state
license or approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Waste Control Specialists, controlled by Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons,
has fought to get the job. It has promised to turn its $50 million landfill in
Andrews County, along the New Mexico state line, into ``the center of the
waste management universe,'' the newspaper said.

WCS has even promised one lobbyist $18 million if its bid is approved by the
federal agency and donated more than $90,000 to key senators and House members
over the past two years, the newspaper said.

But WCS has been unable to persuade Texas lawmakers to change a law that
prohibits private companies from burying nuclear waste. Low-level waste
includes contaminated soil, clothing, tools and machinery.

County business and government leaders support the plan for its jobs. But
state officials fear that a WCS victory could damage the right of states to
decide what waste gets buried within their boundaries.

The Energy Department has joined the state in opposing the plan. And last
week, an order that would have forced the Energy Department to let WCS bid on
disposal contracts was overturned by a federal appeals court.

WCS is expected to appeal.

AP-NY-05-18-98 0708EDT

 Copyright 1998 The Associated Press.