The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced on Tuesday that its Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has dismissed all objections to Holtec International's proposal to construct a storage facility for high-level nuclear waste in southeastern New Mexico. This decision comes despite arguments presented by several intervenors, including the Sierra Club.

The Sierra Club raised concerns about the legality of transporting nuclear waste to interim facilities before identifying a permanent storage site, as required by U.S. law. Currently, no such permanent sites exist in the United States.

During oral arguments held in January in Albuquerque, attorney Wally Taylor represented the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter alongside other legal representatives from Beyond Nuclear, Fasken, AFES, and transportation intervenors. They collectively submitted nearly 50 contentions challenging Holtec's application.

Despite acknowledging that some petitioners, such as the Sierra Club, had standing under NRC regulations, the panel found none of their contentions admissible for an evidentiary hearing. The ruling leaves the Sierra Club with the option to appeal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.