Christopher Hudson House District 9 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
The Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is preparing to issue a license to Holtec International for the interim storage of approximately 30 million nuclear fuel rods in Southeast New Mexico. These rods contain highly radioactive spent fuel, raising concerns about the risks associated with rail transport and storage of this waste.
Senate Bill 53 (SB53), sponsored by Senator Steinborn, aims to address these concerns. The bill proposes the formation of a Radioactive Waste Consultation Task Force. This task force would include members from various departments such as Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, Environment, Health, Transportation, and Public Safety. The Fire Marshal would participate as a non-voting member. Additional members would be drawn from Homeland Security, Indian Affairs, and the Commissioner of Public Lands.
A significant issue highlighted is that private insurance companies typically do not cover damages resulting from nuclear accidents. If a company like Holtec were to go bankrupt or if no permanent disposal site were established, New Mexico might bear responsibility for managing the radioactive waste left in deteriorating containers.
The transportation routes for this waste could pass through communities such as Clovis, Roswell, or Eunice. The state lacks regulatory authority over interstate transportation routes used by railroads. Other concerns include the absence of a defined revenue source and technological challenges related to the containers used for storage.
For more information or to express concerns, individuals can contact Don Hancock at Southwest Research and Information Center via sricdon@earthlink.net; John Buchser at Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Nuclear Waste chair via jbuchser@comcast.net; or Patricia Cardona at Southwest Alliance For A Safe Future (SAFE) via patriciacardona24@yahoo.com.
