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PLUTONIUM INCINERATOR PROJECT HALTED

Department of Energy commits to nationwide policy of finding environmentally sound alternatives to incineration

Monday, March 27, 2000

(Jackson, WY) - Keep Yellowstone Nuclear Free (KYNF) today announced that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to halt its plan to build a plutonium waste incinerator at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL).

As part of its agreement with KYNF, the DOE also has committed to the goal of identifying environmentally sound alternatives to incineration nationwide. "This is a testament to the dedication and courage of thousands of citizens who came together and fought for a common purpose. The people of the greater Jackson Hole community served notice that we would not be pushed around by the DOE. We stood together and won," said KYNF Executive Director Tom Patricelli. "The magnitude of this victory cannot be overstated," he said. "Not only have we stopped the INEEL incinerator in its tracks, we've struck a blow against nuclear waste incineration nationwide."

He also noted that the thousands of volunteers who compose KYNF have given the group national recognition."Because of the people of Jackson and beyond who gave so much of their time and resources to this cause, KYNF is a force to be reckoned with on the national scene," he said.

Gerry Spence, the lead attorney in KYNF's federal lawsuit against the DOE, praised the Jackson community for its cohesiveness in battle. "Ten months ago, few of us paid much attention to what was happening over at INEEL, and nobody had heard of this incinerator," said Spence. "Now look at what we've done. This cause has brought our community together like never before. We won because we were united," he said. He also noted the importance of working toward a goal and achieving it. "With the help of many, we identified a huge problem," he said. "But more important, we were part of the solution."

Spence thanked the coalition of groups who joined KYNF in the lawsuit, including the Snake River Alliance, the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, the Environmental Defense Institute, and the Sierra Club. "We are a formidable team," he said. He also sounded a call for the community to remain active in addressing ongoing threats from INEEL and beyond. "On the heels of this victory, it is incumbent upon all of us to remain vigilant so that we can continue to safeguard our children, our national treasures, and our way of life," he said.

Spence also noted that the Secretary of Energy will appoint a blue ribbon panel to explore environmentally sound alternatives to incineration. "As part of the agreement, we will have the opportunity to appoint a member of that panel," said Spence. He said that the DOE cannot pursue any aspect of the incinerator project prior to the final conclusions of the panel. He said any chance of the DOE trying to resurrect the incinerator was slim. "It will take at least a year or more to put that panel together and come up with conclusions," he said. "Throughout that process, we will use our influence to make sure that incineration is completely ruled out as a viable means of treating this waste. We believe the incinerator is gone for good, but if the DOE even hints at trying to revive this absurd project, we will be on them like mad dogs."

KYNF President Berte Hirschfield indicated that the group's work would continue. "We will use this awesome victory as a foundation as we continue to pursue our larger mission of finding safe, long-term methods of nuclear waste treatment and disposal," she said. She noted the host of environmentally hazardous situations remaining at INEEL. "Now that DOE has committed to finding environmentally sound alternatives to incineration, it should immediately suspend operation of the high level waste calciner at INEEL. It is another dangerous operation that must be stopped," she said. Hirschfield also noted the need to turn the nation's consciousness toward nuclear waste management. "We've spent the last 50 years creating this waste," she said. "It's time we put the same time and effort that went into creating it into finding ways of safely dealing with it."

KYNF Vice President Mary Mitchell paid tribute not only to the people of Jackson, but also to residents of neighboring states who joined the fight. "People all across Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and the entire nation came together in opposition to the plutonium incinerator. This is truly a national victory," said Mitchell.

She also emphasized KYNF's ongoing mission. "Our eyes are now open to what's really going on at INEEL. We will be using our voice to push DOE to step up and develop an open and comprehensive plan to address the incredibly serious problems resulting from the tons of buried radioactive waste at INEEL," she said. "This waste is leaching into the Snake River Aquifer and poses an immediate threat to public health, wildlife, and the environment. We will fight on." Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance Executive Director Franz Camenzind agreed, saying, "we are committed to the cause of finding ways to safely dispose of these dangerous wastes without putting the health of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem at risk."

Agreement was reached between the DOE, the U.S. Department of Justice, KYNF, and the other plaintiffs late Sunday evening. Details of the binding agreement follow:

  • The DOE will not pursue permits necessary to build the plutonium incinerator at INEEL. The DOE will construct and operate a supercompaction plant to treat the waste. Between 83% and 97% of the waste that was slated for incineration will be reduced in volume by supercompaction, packaged, and shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. The DOE is committed to identifying environmentally sound alternatives to incineration on a nationwide basis. DOE will seek to identify alternatives to incineration for use at DOE facilities across the nation.

  • The Secretary of Energy will appoint a blue ribbon panel of independent scientific experts to explore technological alternatives to incineration. Plaintiffs have the right to appoint one member of that committee. The size and date of creation of the panel are yet to be determined.

  • Plaintiffs are not prohibited from introducing a petition to debar BNFL from acting as a contractor for the DOE. (The petition to debar BNFL as a DOE contractor was indeed presented to the Secretary of Energy on March 23, 2000.)

  • Plaintiffs have the right to refile their lawsuit in the event that DOE attempts to reapply for permits to build the incinerator.

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