Will politicians comment on plans to bring another 35 metric tons of plutonium to SRS for processing as waste and for fabrication into “pits” for nuclear weapons? “Feds to ship 35 tons of radioactive waste [plutonium] here – Expert warns of danger to workers, nearby counties”
Article in Lexington County (South Carolina) Chronicle, September 29, 2020
Federal officials have quietly announced plans to ship more highly radioactive waste to SC.
An expert warns this brings with it yet unknown risks to Savannah River Site workers.
Many Lexington County residents commute 45 minutes to the site near Aiken.
“The proposed import of 35 metric tons of plutonium and other waste pose risks but all we hear from politicians is silence,” said Savannah River Watch Director Tom Clements.
“While it is essential to know how much plutonium is now at SRS, DOE refuses to reveal how much more plutonium it plans to import and has not presented a time-line for plutonium import, processing, waste generation and export.
“Politicians in Aiken and in South Carolina have been irresponsibly silent about the risks involved with importing and processing 35 metric tons more weapon-grade plutonium at SRS.”
The Chronicle has asked Congressman Joe Wilson, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Gov. Henry McMaster and Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey for comment.
link to full article: https://www.lexingtonchronicle.com/news/feds-ship-35-tons-radioactive-waste-here
DOE photo: “puck” of plutonium made in SRS reactors, shipped to the contaminated, closed DOE pit-fabriction site in Colorado: the infamous Rocky Flats.