December 09, 1999
Las Vegas Sun

Southeast Compact Threatens North Carolina
NUCLEAR WASTE GROUP ISSUES SANCTION

ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) -- A commission set up to develop a disposal site for low-level radioactive waste in the Southeast demanded Thursday that North Carolina return $80 million in start-up money and pay a $10 million fine for not building the dump.

The 14-member Southeast Compact Commission voted 12-0. North Carolina's representatives did not attend. The commission also threatened to take North Carolina to court if the state rejects the sanctions.

North Carolina Attorney General Michael F. Easley had no immediate comment. The state has contended that it withdrew from the compact in July and that the commission has no authority to impose sanctions.

Eight Southeastern states created the compact in 1984 to share responsibility for disposing of low-level radioactive waste created by power plants.

North Carolina was chosen in 1986 to develop a site to replace an older one in Barnwell, S.C. The state was given $80 million in development funds from the commission, and Easley said the state spent an additional $50 million of its own money.

The project never got beyond the planning stages. North Carolina regulators never licensed the facility because of environmental objections.

South Carolina pulled out of the compact in 1995.

The six other states have no alternative for a new regional site, although Barnwell still accepts waste.

Tennessee Commissioner Michael Mobley said Wednesday there is no hope North Carolina ever will build the facility.

"Everything that can be done has been done, and all assistance that can be given has been given," he said. "We have to take the appropriate actions here."

Ten such regional commissions have been formed around the nation. One other state has been sued by its regional commission for failing to provide an agreed-to site: Nebraska.