Aug 02 - The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)

Citing past problems that resulted in nearly $200,000 in fines, the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace has appealed a state decision to renew for another 10 years a hazardous waste storage permit for Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

The nuclear watchdog group is asking the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to update the plant's permit to prevent future violations and reflect recent hazardous waste problems at other nuclear facilities across the country. The permit allows PG&E to store toxic substances, such as chemicals and corrosives, as well as low-level radioactive waste for as much as a year before it is shipped to permanent disposal facilities.

The appeal has been referred to Watson Gin, deputy director of the department's Hazardous Waste Management Program, who will review it to determine if it raises legitimate concerns. If so, he will reopen the permit to pubic comment and issue a ruling within a month, said Carol Singleton, department spokeswoman.

The permit does not cover storage of the plant's highly radioactive used reactor fuel. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversees those facilites.

--David Sneed

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