Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued a joint statement angered over the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) decision to grant a license to Holtec International for an interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel located on land in Eddy and Lea Counties in New Mexico’s extreme southeastern corner.
“This decision by the NRC – which has been made despite the grave concerns of the state and the legislature over the project’s potential impacts to health, safety and the economy – is incredibly disappointing,” the two Democrats said.
“It also undermines the NRC’s alleged commitment to meaningful engagement with stakeholders, as it appears our concerns were wholly ignored and went unaddressed by Holtec and the NRC,” they wrote, despite the lengthy process Holtec took to receive approvals and work with state and local stakeholders.
The two politicians claimed they “will not stop our fight,” claiming the new interim facility would turn the state into a “nuclear dumping ground.” The project previously got a positive environmental impact statement from the NRC.
These safe fuel rods, housed in secure casks, would be transported by rail to the facility on train shipments specifically for storage. The project would account for over 350 new jobs.
The casks are immune to hurricanes, floods, tornados, earthquakes, and even the impact of a plane crash. There would be no adverse effect on wildlife nor on groundwater, no radiological consequences in the event of a fire, and an inconspicuous design.
“Earlier this year, the state Legislature passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 53, which will impose new, more robust state licensing requirements for this project before any construction may begin. In the meantime, we are evaluating available legal recourse and will take any action necessary to make sure that ground is never broken on this ‘interim’ facility in New Mexico,” the two Democrats’ offices wrote in the joint statement.
It is immediately unclear what “actions” the politicians seek to take, which would be bucking federal regulatory agencies — something they do not have the power to regulate.
IfLG and Torrey are against the Holtec project, this project must be good for that part of New Mexico, as it brings much- needed jobs.
I agree!
If MLG and Torrez are against the Holtec project, the project must be a plus for New Mexico.
And MLG is not getting a kickback….. If it don’t help her pocket book she don’t want it…..
Wonder if MLG and Torres now feel the pain of many New Mexicans that are also frustrated at not having our concerns addressed nor being allowed to have people represent us rather that the Marxists running the state. I can say I feel your pain, but then realize they aren’t feeling ours when it comes to their abortion tourism economic development.
Wonder if MLG and Torres now feel the pain of many New Mexicans that are also frustrated at not having our concerns addressed nor being allowed to have people represent us rather that the Marxists running the state. I can say I feel your pain, but then realize they aren’t feeling ours when it comes to their abortion tourism economic development.
Janet,
You expressed my first thoughts. Finally, they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Do they see it this way? I doubt they have the ability to self discernment.
well we don’t like her abortion bill, so SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP. if she’s against something then i’m all for it.
MLG has wanted and agreed with so much that most of us disapprove, it’s great to see her defeated!
She would have approved if they were filling her pockets with money like the bullcrap green energy companies. I still think however that New Mexico would become a dumping ground for waste, so I do not think it is a good idea. We already have Dumb ass windmills and dangerous high powered 500 KV power lines that will destroy N.M. to transport power to California. Senator Heinrich’s campaign was probably funded by the egregious green energy corporations.
Why didn’t you post my comment?
Well I have to say that I agree with many of the comments that I have read. It does make me feel a little better that there are folks in this State that think a lot like me. It makes my day when I see that MLG doesn’t get her way.
Anyone who pushes against her wishes, or anything done to put Loserjan in her place is fine by me! The sooner she is removed from the roundhouse the better off New Mexico will be!
Well wasn’t Sam Brinton in charge of this? Remember bdsm lipstick wearing airport panty stealing dude that was in charge of nuclear waste. Governor tell them to void this agreement it was made by a criminal psycho not an actual employee with actual experience or knowledge!
I think they’re upset because it keeps that area of the State in a more prosperous position-jobs and devopment. They don’t want deep red areas of NM to succeed.
I lived near San Onofre Holtec Nuclear waste site. This is a similar system planned for New Mexico. Every canister was gouged as it was lowered into a storage hole. The drawing shown does not show the huge air vents that continuously stream radiation into the environment. No mention of the cracking that canisters are vulnerable to. No mention the gouging causes carbon steel particles to be embedded in the canisters which triggers stress corrosion cracking of these thin-wall stainless steel canisters. These are pressure vessels yet have no pressure monitoring or pressure relief valves. Learn more about the unsafe practices at SanOnofreSafety.org