Nuclear shipments from Nevada start Thursday

[Judi Lynn]

Nuclear shipments from Nevada start Thursday
Officials oppose route, which loops through eastern S.B. County

By CHUCK MUELLER
STAFF WRITER

State and local officials strongly oppose the U.S. Department of Energy's plans to truck radioactive waste on a circuitous route through eastern San Bernardino County beginning Thursday.

Under the proposal, medium-level nuclear materials stored at the Nevada Test Site northwest of Las Vegas will be shipped to the federal Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico for disposal.

"We're very concerned about the distances involved, which could delay our response to a (nuclear) incident," said county Fire Department spokeswoman Tracey Martinez. "And even though our own training center has provided some training for first responders, we're still not adequately prepared for such an incident." (snip)

(snip) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has asked the Energy Department to postpone shipments until California, Nevada and the department can reach an agreement on the issue. But Feinstein spokesman Scott Gerber said the first shipment is scheduled for Thursday.

Up to 60 shipments are scheduled, Gerber said, including eight this summer. Sealed drums in each truck load could include items such as laboratory clothing, tools, gloves, glassware and filters containing small amounts of radioactive material. (snip/...)

http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~1499569,00.html

[annagull]

1. Mobile terrorist labs criss cross America? Great!

Gee, I'm so glad the adults are in charge. Shhh! Al Quada--don't look!!