Press Mention Augusta Chronicle March 22, 2003
SACE Quoted
MOX debate continues
In this mention
Anti-nuclear activists prepare for Nuclear Regulatory Commission meetings on the proposed MOX fuel production facility at Savannah River Site. Sara Barczak of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy emphasizes that voices of those impacted by potential accidents will be heard during the public comment period. The debate centers on environmental and health risks to nearby communities, particularly minorities and the poor.
The voices of those impacted will be heard at the upcoming meetings and during the public comment period
Sara Barczak
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Full transcript
MOX debate continues
By Eric Williamson
Staff Writer
AIKEN — Anti-nuclear activists know that meetings this week might be the last opportunity to stop construction of a proposed mixed-oxide fuel production facility at Savannah River Site.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said that, based on its research and the public's input, it is willing to give the go-ahead for the plant's construction unless it hears any new persuasive arguments. The MOX plant would turn surplus weapons plutonium into fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
But anti-nuclear activists know the project isn't a done deal. They contend that minorities and the poor who live around the borders of SRS would be most affected by an accident.
The commission acknowledged this possibility in a recent report, but said accidents are unlikely.
In one scenario involving a hypothetical release of radioactive hydrogen, up to 200 people revised from a higher, previously released figure — could eventually die of cancer after a year's exposure.
"The voices of those impacted will be heard at the upcoming meetings and during the public comment period," promised Sara Barczak, the safe energy director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Project supporters have argued that the calculation is meritless because it is based mostly on people ingesting tainted crops over time. They say those crops likely would be destroyed immediately after any release.
While opponents see nightmarish scenarios and unneeded expense in the new plant, proponents see calculated risks, about 400 new full-time jobs and a more peaceful world.
The plant would be built as part of an agreement between the United States and Russia for each to burn 34 metric tons of plutonium. After being used for power, the plutonium would no longer be useful for weapons.
Dozens of local, state and national representatives for the Aiken and metro Augusta areas have come out in favor of the MOX plant, with no vocal opposition among their ranks.
Much of the environmental opposition has come from outside the Aiken area.
"It's simply a fact that this area has not a significant number of anti-nuclear groups. If you ask me why, it's primarily because (SRS) has always been open and done things the right way," said Mal McKibben, of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness, whose membership includes some past and present employees of the nuclear industry.