Nuclear Waste

The universities, hospitals and biotechnology and other industries that produce low-level waste as a result of their use of radioactive materials read with interest Larry Stammer’s article, “Temporary Nuclear Waste Storage May Be Expanded” (Jan. 11). The article concludes that these institutions may have to resort to interim waste storage at their own facilities or at central waste brokers’ warehouses if the proposed permanent disposal project proposed for Ward Valley is delayed beyond the Jan. 1, 1993, federal deadline.

Interim storage does not do away with the need for permanent disposal of the waste and is costly and unnecessary. It will only complicate matters and add considerable additional expense that will be borne by all of us. California state government has enough time--although it is barely enough--to make sure the Ward Valley disposal facility opens on time as required by state and federal law.

Organizations that use radioactive materials in industry, medicine, biotechnology and research, working in association with Cal Rad Forum, have supported the development of a safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive and economical disposal facility for low-level waste since 1982.

State and federal law require California to “cause a regional disposal facility to be developed on a timely basis.” If the state defaults on its statutory obligation, it will be in violation of the law. The organizations that use radioactive materials in the four states that compose the Southwestern Compact region--California, Arizona, North Dakota and South Dakota--may eventually look to California and the taxpayers to pick up the bill for unnecessary, expensive interim storage and other costs caused by governmental delay.

California should comply with existing law and contractual agreements it has made with our compact partners: Approve the development of the Ward Valley project now so that it will be available by the end of the year when under federal law California waste generators who provide essential services to the citizens of our state will be shut out of existing waste disposal facilities.

ALAN PASTERNAK

Technical Director, California

Radioactive Materials Management Forum

Lafayette