Despite local leaders' opposition, NM bills could block waste storage
ECA Staff | 2/11/2022
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The future of high-level nuclear waste storage in New Mexico hangs in the balance as two bills advance in the state legislature. The identical pieces of legislation, House Bill 127 and Senate Bill 54, would “prohibit the storage or disposal of spent fuel and high-level waste” by blocking state agencies from issuing permits for storage facilities for such waste.
The bills would prevent a project proposed by Holtec International from storing high-level waste at the facility near the City of Carlsbad in southeast New Mexico.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and other state officials have previously expressed opposition to the Holtec project and support the bills.
However, local leadership in the communities surrounding the Holtec site strongly oppose the proposed legislation.
In the letter, Janway expressed his surprise at the governor’s decision to support the consideration of the bills.
“These bills are intended to stop a project that is important to economic development in southeast New Mexico,” he wrote. “There is a partnership between the Eddy Lea Energy Alliance and Holtec International on the proposed HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility for spent nuclear fuel. The temporary, safe, secure facility is a critical step in the final disposal process as recommended by a Presidential Blue-Ribbon Commission,” commissioned by former
President Barack Obama.
Janway went on to write that, “If passed and signed into law, SB 54 and HB 127 will undo years of careful study and evaluation including the work of many individuals in Eddy and Lea Counties who have demonstrated that our region is well-equipped and possesses the knowledge to support the nuclear energy industry. SB 54 also has the serious negative unintended consequences of halting certain activities at the WIPP site and the national labs in Albuquerque and Los
Alamos.”
In the letter, Janway noted that three other individuals - Eddy County Chairman Steven McCutcheon, Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb, and Lea County Commissioner Jonathan Sena – joined him in signing a separate letter to Lujan-Grisham. This letter requested that SB 54 not be placed on the legislative agenda, citing the potential harm to local economies and stressing the support for the proposed ELEA/Holtec facility because of its safety and security.
"We would not have invited Holtec to southeast New Mexico if we believed otherwise," Janway wrote.
The letter continues by further highlighting the economic opportunities and benefits the Holtec project would bring to the local community.
“We are steadfast in our belief that the project and the oil/gas industry can co-exist in our region. While the oil/gas industry is very robust today and is responsible for New Mexico’s windfall surplus in the state budget, we want to continue to diversify our economic opportunities,” Janway wrote. “Consolidated storage is a proven safe, secure storage facility that will provide over 350 well-paying jobs as well as infuse $3 billion in capital investment to our
area.”
Janway concluded his written remarks by reaffirming his opposition to the bills.
“We all share the Governor’s vision for diversifying our economy and supporting projects that foster thoughtful economic development in our communities and build a stronger, brighter future for our state,” he wrote. “That’s why we strongly urge the Governor to reconsider her senate message and State Legislators to not pass SB 54 or HB 127.”
Along with Janway's letter, the Albuquerque Journal also recently published an editorial piece on the safety and benefits of the Holtec project, which may be found here.
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Join ECA for a Virtual Budget Briefing
On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 from 2pm - 3pm ET, join ECA for a virtual budget briefing + Q&A.
Participants will get an overview of the budget and appropriations process, hearing specifically about the Department of Energy (DOE) budget from Steve Trischman, Director of the
Office of Budget and Planning for DOE's Office of Environmental Management.
There will also be a Q&A session at the end of the meeting.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
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MARCH 1 & 2, 2022
The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Board) will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, and Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to review information on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) activities related to spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW). Specifically, the meeting will cover research and development (R&D) on SNF and
HLW storage, transportation, non-site-specific disposal, DOE’s integrated waste management system, and its consent-based siting process to identify federal interim storage facilities.
Details for joining and viewing the meeting will be available on the Board’s website (www.nwtrb.gov) approximately one week before the meeting. The meeting will begin on both days at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST) and is scheduled to adjourn at approximately 5:00 p.m. EST.
The meeting will be open to the public and there will be opportunities for public comments.
MARCH 4, 2022
The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a Request for Information (RFI) on how to site Federal facilities for the temporary, consolidated storage of spent nuclear fuel using a consent-based approach.
Responses to the RFI will inform development of a consent-based siting process, overall strategy for an integrated waste management system, and possibly a funding opportunity. DOE especially welcomes insight from people, communities, and groups that have historically not been well-represented in these discussions.
Responses must be received by March 4, 2022 by 5:00pm ET and may be submitted electronically to consentbasedsiting@hq.doe.gov, including “RFI: Consent-Based Siting and Federal Interim Storage” in the subject line of the email.
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DOE establishes $6 billion program to preserve America’s clean nuclear energy infrastructure
DOE-NE | 2/11/2022
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Request for Information (RFI) on the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program. The nuclear credit program supports the continued operation of U.S. nuclear reactors, the nation’s largest source of clean power. Both the NOI and RFI are critical first steps to help avoid premature retirements of nuclear reactors across the country, preserving
thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs while avoiding carbon emissions. The nuclear credit program is DOE's most recently announced program to support the President’s clean energy goals and ensure that communities across the country continue to see the benefits of sustainable energy infrastructure.
“U.S. nuclear power plants are essential to achieving President Biden’s climate goals and DOE is committed to keeping 100% clean electricity flowing and preventing premature closures,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes this all possible by allowing us to leverage our existing clean energy infrastructure, strengthen our energy security and protect U.S. jobs. DOE is facilitating the development of next generation
technologies that can ultimately lower emissions and bolster the clean energy workforce.”
Nuclear power currently provides 52% of the nation’s 100% clean electricity, and the Biden-Harris Administration has identified the current fleet of 93 reactors as a vital resource to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. Shifting energy markets and other economic factors have already resulted in the early closure of 12 commercial reactors across the United States since 2013. These closures have led to an increase in carbon emissions in those regions,
poorer air quality, and the loss of thousands of high-paying jobs.
The newly enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC), allowing owners or operators of commercial U.S. reactors to apply for certification and competitively bid on credits to help support their continued operations. Today’s RFI seeks input on the structure and execution of the CNC Program, including the certification process and eligibility criteria, invitations to submit bids for credits, and the allocation of credits. The Department seeks
input from all interested parties, including but not limited to nuclear reactor owners and operators, state and local regulators and officials, Tribes, impacted community partners, environmental advocacy groups, and other partners involved in clean energy and electric generation, distribution, and planning.
Under the law, applications must prove that the reactor will close for economic reasons and demonstrate that closure will lead to a rise in air pollution. DOE must also determine that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has reasonable assurance that the reactor will continue to operate safely. Credits will be allocated over a four-year period beginning on the date of selection to reactors that are certified by the Department.
DOE is also issuing a Notice of Intent informing interested parties of the Department’s plans to seek applications and provide potential applicants the opportunity to submit voluntary, non-binding expressions of interest in the CNC Program.
“I appreciate that the Department of Energy is taking this first crucial step to implement the Civil Nuclear Credit Program authorized and funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Ensuring the continued operation of our domestic nuclear fleet is essential to achieving our emission reduction goals while also maintaining reliability. I fought for the inclusion
of this critical program to prevent further premature closures of nuclear power plants and to maintain high-paying jobs in communities across America.”
Learn more about Notice of Intent and Request for Information Regarding Establishment of a Civil Nuclear Credit Program. Responses to the NOI and RFI addressing general program design and bid process are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 17, 2022. Substantive responses relating specifically to the certification process should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on March 8, 2022 to ensure that this
feedback can be used to meet the Department's expedited schedule.
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Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.
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