Radioactive dump could get OK despite proximity to groundwater

[bananas]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/5595605.html

March 5, 2008, 3:53PM
Radioactive dump could get OK despite proximity to groundwater

SAN ANTONIO — The head of the state's environmental agency could recommend licensing of a radioactive waste dump despite an agency report that indicates the West Texas site is too close to a groundwater supply, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Two geologists and two engineers for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommended turning down the proposed location in Andrews County, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

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The draft license may be issued even though scientists found one water table may be closer than 14 feet, making it "highly likely" that water could seep into the dump as annual rainfall increases. WCS disputes that, saying the moisture is at least 35 feet below the proposed disposal site.

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Simmons, an investor who has a number of business interests beyond his ownership of WCS, has donated nearly $500,000 to Perry since 2001. Perry named all three members of the environmental commission.

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[NMDemDist2]

1. it's handy to two of the main weapons plants

Midland (where they are decommissioning the old nukes) and Eunice NM where they are making the new ones