RE: N.C. Out of Nuclear Waste Compact

[Glen.Vickers@ucm.com]

The politicians in NC are part of the problem, not the solution.  They
should refund all of the compact money they have wasted.  They have enjoyed
many years of being in the Southeast compact and now they don't want to hold
up to their end of the bargain.

The barnwell site in SC is so important, it should be considered a national
treasure and afforded protection by the feds.  I must however confess that I
wouldn't expect such an action from the current administration.  I'd hate to
see my plant's $/MWe go up to support on-site storage if Barnwell ever
closes.

Ever concerned, yet hopeful,

glen
glen.vickers@ucm.com



	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Charp, Paul [SMTP:pac4@cdc.gov]
	Sent:	Wednesday, July 21, 1999 2:59 PM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	N.C. Out of Nuclear Waste Compact

	the following article was posted earlier today by the AP


	N.C. Out of Nuclear Waste Compact 

	 Associated Press
	 Wednesday, July 21, 1999 1:00PM



	By SCOTT MOONEYHAM

	Associated Press Writer

	RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) via NewsEdge Corporation - 

	North Carolina lawmakers voted to stop development of a
	low-level nuclear waste dump to replace a South Carolina facility
	that is one of three such dumps in the nation. 

	Legislators voted Tuesday to pull out of the Southeast Compact,
	a congressionally chartered group of seven Southeastern states
	that was one of several created around the nation to deal with
	waste disposal. The move has the backing of Gov. Jim Hunt. 

	The Legislature's action leaves generators of nuclear waste _
	utilities and research organizations _ across most of the country
	dependent on a dump in Barnwell, S.C. A dump in Utah doesn't
	accept the range of wastes handled by Barnwell, and one in
	Washington serves only Northwestern and Rocky Mountain area
	states. 

	North Carolina officials have been at odds for years with the
	compact over development of a disposal facility, planned for a
	wooded site outside of Raleigh. 

	The project is now years behind schedule and millions of dollars
	over budget. So far, the state has spent an estimated $40 million
	on the project, mostly for geological studies. 

	State nuclear regulators held up the plan because they feared
	underground water at the site would leach radioactivity into water
	supplies. 

	``We need a new plan. We need to start over,'' said Sen. David
	Hoyle, a Democrat. ``North Carolina needs to take care of North
	Carolina's problem and let every other state take care of their
	problem.'' 

	Kathryn Haynes, executive director of the compact, predicted the
	dispute would end up in court. 

	``We do have the administrative procedure, the sanctions
	procedure,'' Haynes said. ``The question is ... whether we will
	have to go to court to enforce them.'' 

	The decision to leave the compact follows months of bitter
	dispute between North Carolina officials and the commission. 

	The other states have complained that North Carolina has
	needlessly delayed development of the dump. 

	In 1995, South Carolina pulled out of the compact because of
	frustration with its northern neighbor. South Carolina passed a
	law that banned North Carolina waste from Barnwell, although
	waste from all other states were welcome. Waste generators in
	North Carolina have to store wastes on their property. 

	The waste includes such items as medical waste, rags, clothing,
	tools and used parts from nuclear power plants that have picked
	up low levels of radioactivity. 

	The states in the compact are Virginia, North Carolina,
	Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. 

	
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