The Nation : Weapons Plant Waste Accord Reached

Federal energy and environmental officials announced an agreement for handling wastes from the federal Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant near Denver, an issue that had threatened to close the plant. The problem arose because of concern by officials from the Department of Energy and Rockwell International Corp., which runs the plant for the department, about their personal liability for the plant’s failure to follow environmental laws by storing the mixed wastes at the plant. Long-term storage of such wastes at a production site is not allowed, yet there is no federally approved disposal site or treatment process for the wastes. Under the agreement, which first came to light last week, DOE will handle the wastes in compliance with hazardous waste storage requirements, and will minimize the generation of such wastes.