Nuclear Waste / Public News Service

The Hanford Nuclear Site was home to the world's first plutonium production reactor. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Interactive Hanford Story Teaches about Nuclear Site's Threat to Columbia River

The Hanford Nuclear Site on the Columbia River in central Washington has left a complex legacy for the region. An interactive story map imagines …

The Idaho National Laboratory treats nuclear waste at its facility near Idaho Falls. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Critics: Climate Bill's Nuclear Funding Undermines Clean-Energy Claims

The Inflation Reduction Act aims to revolutionize the clean-energy sector in the United States. But in Idaho, critics think its investment in nuclear …

The federal government has issued a license to Holtec International to store 8,680 metric tons of highly radioactive uranium from some 80 nuclear reactor sites around the country in southeastern New Mexico. (portside.org/AliyaMood)

Governor: NM Won't Be a 'Dumping Ground" for Nuclear Waste

After being rejected by Texas and Utah, the federal government has now picked New Mexico to house the nation's spent nuclear fuel, but the governor …

If passed by Congress, legislation to recognize

NM "Downwinders" Continue Fight for Radiation Exposure Relief

A New Mexico group seeking financial compensation for those suffering negative health effects from the 1945 Trinity atomic bomb tests has two more yea…

NuScale Power plans to build six reactor modules west of Idaho Falls to generate 462 megawatts of electricity. (Oregon State University/Wikimedia Commons)

Research: Radioactive Waste Issue Unresolved with New Reactor Designs

New, smaller designs for nuclear reactors have been touted as vital for the clean energy future, but new research found they could generate more …

Grand View, ID, home to a waste site that accepts hazardous material, is located about 50 miles south of Boise on the Snake River. (NASA/Wikimedia Commons)

Radioactive Soil from Australia Destined for ID Facility

Radioactive soil in Australia is being excavated and shipped to a waste disposal facility in Idaho. The soil was polluted from a carbolic acid …

At least eight cities have pulled out of an agreement to use nuclear power from a project that will be built at Idaho National Laboratory. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Report: Taxpayers 'Losing' on Subsidies for Nuclear Industry

To modernize the industry, nuclear power is making the transition toward smaller reactors. But a report from Taxpayers for Common Sense claims …

The United States has 93 nuclear reactors, down from 104 in 2012. (ThomasLENNE/Adobe Stock)

Hundreds of Groups Sign Letter Opposing Nuclear Subsidies

BOISE, Idaho -- Hundreds of groups have signed a letter opposing nuclear subsidies in Congress's infrastructure and budget reconciliation bills…

Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls study nuclear energy. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Critics Decry $12 Billion for Nuclear in Infrastructure Bill

BOISE, Idaho -- The U.S. Senate has passed a massive infrastructure bill, and buried within the package is $12 billion for the nuclear industry…

While most electricity in Utah is generated by gas or coal-powered plants, one regional utility is considering the nuclear option. (brianguest/Adobe Stock)

Utah Watchdogs Voice Concerns Over 'High-Tech' Nukes

SALT LAKE CITY -- In the push toward carbon-free energy production, some cities in Utah and nearby states are considering a new type of nuclear …

Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel was studied at the Argonne National Laboratory-West site in Idaho. (Argonne National Laboratory-West/Wikimedia Commons)

Experts: Halt Comeback of Spent Nuclear Fuel Technology

BOISE, Idaho -- As the U.S. aims to push past fossil fuel dependency, nuclear power is part of the conversation, but non-proliferation watchdogs hope …

According to the environmental group Riverkeeper, about 1,500 tons of spent nuclear fuel rods are stored at Indian Point. (Phil Cardamone/Adobe Stock)

Closure of Indian Point Hailed as Major Environmental Victory

BUCHANAN, N.Y. -- A 40-year battle to close the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant came to an end last week, as the last of its three reactors was …

The Perry Nuclear Power Plant sits 40 miles east of Cleveland on Lake Erie. (Wainstead/CreativeCommons)

Ohio Nuclear Bailout Bill Closer to Full Repeal

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Parts of a bill embroiled in possibly the largest bribery scandal in Ohio history will soon be repealed. However, some groups say …

A plan to replace electricity generated by four lower Snake River dams includes $10 billion for renewable sources like wind and solar. (Oleg Kovtun/Adobe Stock)

Critics: Nuclear Not Needed in Snake River Replacement Plan

BOISE, Idaho -- Nuclear energy could be part of the mix to replace power from four lower Snake River dams if they're removed. Rep. Mike Simpson…

Experimental Nuclear Reactor Design Could Come to ID

BOISE, Idaho -- The public can weigh in this week on an experimental nuclear reactor which could be coming to the Idaho National Laboratory. The U.S…

The Idaho National Laboratory will be home to NuScale's small, modular reactor project. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Questions Remain About ID Nuclear Reactor Project

BOISE, Idaho - Questions are being raised about the future of NuScale Power's Idaho project to bring nuclear energy to cities in the Mountain West…

The White Mesa Uranium Mill is situated near the Ute Mountain Ute tribal reservation and Bears Ears National Monument. (Grand Canyon Trust)

Utes Fear Uranium Mill is Becoming Radioactive Waste Dump

WHITE MESA, Utah -- Native tribes and environmental groups alike are worried that a Utah uranium-processing mill is becoming a dumping ground for …

Fallout from nuclear tests in Nevada in the 1950s and '60s affected the health of many southern Idahoans. (National Nuclear Security Administration/Flickr)

Potential for New Nuclear Testing Brings Up Old Harms to Idahoans

BOISE, Idaho -- Restarting discussion about nuclear-weapons testing is on the table in Washington, D.C., even as Idaho still is waiting for …

The only waste disposal site permitted for radioactive material in Montana is in the eastern part of the state, near Glendive. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

MT Lawmakers Pause Radioactive Waste Limits, Draw Public Ire

HELENA, Mont. - Lawmakers could sideline Montana's radioactive waste disposal rules from oil and gas industries next week, despite public opposition…

A federal rule change could allow waste disposal at locations other than radioactive-storage facilities. (Scanrail/Adobe Stock)

NRC Proposes Allowing Nuclear Waste at Dumps, Recycling Sites

BOISE, Idaho -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may change its rules to allow the nuclear industry to dump some of its waste in landfills. …

Nuclear waste from the Three Mile Island meltdown in 1979 made its way to Idaho for storage. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Flickr)

On Three Mile Island Meltdown Anniversary, ID Considers Nuclear Future

BOISE, Idaho - Saturday is the 41st anniversary of the partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Experts say there are lessons …

Built during World War II, the B Reactor at the Hanford Site was the first large-scale nuclear reactor ever built. (Energy.gov/Wikimedia Commons)

Report Slams Fed Oversight of Aging WA Nuclear Site

RICHLAND, Wash. -- The federal government still has not addressed the aging facilities at one of North America's most contaminated nuclear sites…

An investigation by Rolling Stone magazine found the waste from Marcellus wells that crowds some area roads is radioactive enough to be seen as a threat to workers and the public. (Bill Hughes)

Radioactive Marcellus, Utica Well Waste Flows through 'Loophole'

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A federal loophole means millions of tons and billions of gallons of radioactive natural gas waste are being disposed of as if they …

An investigation by Rolling Stone magazine found the waste brine from Marcellus wells is radioactive enough to be seen as a threat to workers and the public. (Vivian Stockman/Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition)

Investigation: Marcellus Waste 'Too Hot' for Release by Nuke Plant

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- A federal loophole means millions of tons and billions of gallons of radioactive natural gas waste are being disposed of as if …

Dr. Heidi Hutner's documentary follows four mothers who experienced the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown. (Martijn Hart)

Women of Three Mile Island, Idaho on Frontlines of Nuclear Meltdown

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – A documentary explores the lives of women affected by the Three Mile Island accident – the waste from which …

Indian Point is one of several nuclear power plants across the country scheduled for decommissioning. (mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)

Forum to Focus on Safety of Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants

MONTROSE, N.Y. - Elected officials, environmental groups and scientists will gather in Montrose on Thursday for a regional forum on decommissioning …

New Mexico's Trinity atomic bomb test site on the White Sands Missile Range is open to the public twice annually. (nuclearactive.org)

New Mexico Oversight Hearing Slated for Nuclear "Downwinders"

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Victim compensation from the nation's first atomic bomb test conducted in New Mexico nearly 75 years ago will be the …

The Trump administration is trying for the third time this year to get funds from Congress to revive a proposed nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain. (State of Nevada)

Opponents Work to Raise Awareness of Yucca Mountain Nuclear Proposal

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Opponents of reviving the proposed nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain held a panel discussion in East Las Vegas last night to …

Western Shoshone tribal leaders say a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain would expose their land and people to too much risk. (Johnny Bobb)

Western Shoshone Host Public Protest of Yucca Mtn. Nuclear Proposal

TONOPAH, Nev. - The Western Shoshone Nation is inviting the public to join its protest this weekend against moves by the Trump administration to …

Underground tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Site hold more than 50 million gallons of radioactive waste. (Jeff Keyzer/Flickr)

Nuclear-Site Workers Reach Settlement; Government Buy-In Needed

SEATTLE – Workers at the country's most contaminated nuclear site in southeast Washington scored a win for safety in court this week. But one …

This mock radioactive waste canister is meant to represent 100,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel rods. Holtec International wants New Mexico to store that amount of nuclear waste until a permanent facility is built. (Don Hancock)

Final NM Public Comments Due Today on Holtec Nuclear Waste Facility

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Residents of New Mexico opposed to a below-ground nuclear waste facility proposed for the state's southeast corner have …

San Antonio law enforcement still hasn't found nuclear material stolen from the car of Idaho National Laboratory contractors. (Idaho National Laboratory/Flickr)

Stolen Nuclear Material Exposes Larger Issue of Government Accountability

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – In 2017, security experts from the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory had a small amount of nuclear material …

A mock radioactive waste canister represents the 100,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel rods a company wants New Mexico to store until a permanent facility is built. (Don Hancock)

Two Public Hearings in NM This Week on Nuclear Fuel Repository

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico residents will have two chances this week to tell the Nuclear Regulatory Commission what they think of a …

Increased nuclear weapons production at Los Alamos could bring more jobs, but also more safety and environmental concerns to New Mexico. (energy.gov)

Los Alamos to Build Part of Next-Gen Nuclear Weapons

LAS ALAMOS, N.M. – The National Nuclear Security Administration announced Thursday that New Mexico and South Carolina will share in the …

Opponents of a nuclear-waste facility for southern New Mexico are on a state tour this week with a mock radioactive waste canister. (Don Hancock)

Groups Fight Nuclear Waste Storage Proposal in NM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Groups opposed to construction of a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel from the nation's commercial reactors are on a tour …

$In areas where shale-drilling and hydraulic fracturing is heavy, a dense web of roads, pipelines and well pads turns continuous forests and grasslands into fragmented islands. (Simon Fraser University/flickr)$

Duke Researchers Find Radioactive Contamination in Fracking Wastewater

DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina legalized fracking as a method of drilling for natural gas in 2014. While no permits have been issued, there is …

Sediment contaminated by oil and gas well wastewater can be 600 times more radioactive than sediment from upstream. (Jwvein/pixabay)

Research Shows Oil and Gas Wastewater Makes Streambeds Radioactive

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Over time, treated oil and gas wastewater is leaving radioactive deposits in the stream beds where it is released, scientists …

$A Duke University study finds that high levels of radioactivity persist in stream sediments at three disposal sites more than seven years after Pennsylvania officials requested that the disposal of radium-laden fracking wastewater into surface waters be restricted. (Pixabay)$

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