CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Nuclear Dump Study Cites Liability

California taxpayers could face millions of dollars in liability in case of a radioactive leak from a proposed low-level nuclear waste dump in the Mojave Desert, a study by the state controller’s office has concluded. “There’s no question that California is looking at a big number,” Controller Gray Davis said. “We can disagree over how large it is . . . but we’ll get stuck with the bill.” For two years, the issue of taxpayer liability has been a nagging question for the controversial 70-acre site, to be located 24 miles west of Needles. Opponents have argued that the state would be held liable in the event of a radioactive release, either into the air or into ground water supplies. Backers of the proposal have countered that the chances of such an accident are highly remote.