Friday
December 19, 1997State officials to discuss facility facing shutdown
The Associated Press
RALEIGH -- A shutdown of the state's work to develop a low-level radioactive waste repository tops the agenda of state officials who will meet today.
"I don't think there is any light at the end of the tunnel," said Andy James, spokesman for the state Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Authority.
The state authority was told this month that no more money for developing the facility would be sent by the regional Southeast Compact Commission. The commission was created by Congress to oversee disposal of low-level waste -- ranging from used reactor parts to lab rags -- for seven southeastern states.
State and compact officials disagreed over long-term funding for the project.
Now, with the money spigot turned off, the state authority faces the second shutdown of the project since its inception.
"They're going to consider whether they need to begin shutdown activities for this project," James said. "That is what the authority said it would need to consider this month."
James said shutdown involves closing a field office, archiving records, disposing of leased equipment and ending its business relationship with the engineering contractor who is performing work at the site in Wake County.
It is the second time the commission has cut off money to North Carolina because the state didn't have an acceptable financing plan. Money was cut off in June 1996, after the compact began issuing warnings six months earlier. Money didn't resume flowing until October 1996 and work didn't resume until January.
James said the problem faced by the state is more serious this time and it's hard to say how long a shutdown could last.
North Carolina was asked 10 years ago by the commission to host a dump. Since then, more than $100 million has been spent as work moved haltingly toward getting a license from another state agency.
The target date for opening a dump is 2001 and the estimated construction cost is $75 million.
States in the compact are North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
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