Rep. Yanira Gurrola House District 16 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Community members in southeastern New Mexico, including farmers, faith leaders, and oil-industry representatives, have expressed concerns about a proposed high-level radioactive waste storage project. The site is planned to be located between Hobbs and Carlsbad.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold an open house on April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a public meeting from 7 to 10 p.m. This meeting will provide opportunities for public comment.
Holtec International is seeking "interim" storage for the nation's high-level radioactive waste, aiming for a period of up to 120 years. Concerns have been raised that this could lead to an unsafe permanent dump site if there is no political will or adequate funding in the future. Holtec plans to transport 10,000 canisters of irradiated reactor fuel rods from across the country to New Mexico for storage near the surface, which some argue poses significant risks.
Jimi Gadzia questioned the potential impact on local employment: “Why risk more than 20,000 existing jobs for 55 jobs at a dangerous radioactive-waste storage site?” Pecan farming and tourism are significant contributors to the local economy in Chavez County and Lea County. Eddy and Lea counties are also major oil- and gas-producing regions.
Public meetings are scheduled at Eastern New Mexico University Campus Union building in Hobbs on May 1 at the Lea County Events Center and on May 3 at the Eddy County Fire Service Training Center. Comments can be submitted to the NRC until May 29, 2018.
For further information, visit NoNuclearWaste.org
