A Bad Bill on Nuclear Waste

May 24 - News Tribune, The

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Edmonds) is hopping mad at the Department of Energy - and she should be.

She's fighting an attempt by the agency to wiggle out of its obligation - required by federal law - to remove about 50 million gallons of high-grade nuclear waste at Hanford. The problem is that the DOE's allies in Congress are willing to put the agency's goal of saving money over reducing threats to public health.

At issue is a Defense Authorization Bill that would allow the department to reclassify waste and leave it in place at its South Carolina complex. Cantwell opposes the provision because it would set a bad precedent. Reclassifying waste and leaving it in place are exactly what DOE officials are trying to do at Hanford.

Cantwell said that reclassification made the entire bill "radioactive." She's right, and that's why she should continue to fight it.