Illinois' second drive for a second atomic waste dump continues today at a Springfield press conference as the state's "Low-Level" Radioactive Waste Task Group releases new siting criteria. The first siting process, which targeted Martinsville and Fairfield-Geff, was plagued with scandal and failed. Illinois is already home for one leaky nuclear dump at Sheffield, and will be socked with full responsibility for it in 1998. Meanwhile the 13 atomic power reactors in the state routinely generate more waste, and the state continues to do the industry's dirty work of finding a location, without public consent, never questioning the future production of waste.
The rules have changed for this round (limiting options for criticism from other state agencies and revoking the local right to vote) to increase the chances of siting a new dump. But, the longevity and toxicity of the waste will increase if the Department of Energy's newest plan for MOX (mixed plutonium and uranium oxide fuel) is approved. The plan for MOX, announced December 9, 1996 by Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary, would use some plutonium from dismantled warheads as fuel in commercial nuclear power plants. "There is no doubt that waste and releases from reactors using plutonium (MOX) fuel will be even more toxic and long-lasting than those from uranium fuel in use today. If this ill-advised plan proceeds every aspect of any new dump in Illinois will pose even greater risks," stated Diane D'Arrigo, Radioactive Waste Project Director at Nuclear Information and Resource Service.
The operators of at least 6 of Illinois' nuclear power plants (Braidwood 1& 2, Byron 1& 2, LaSalle 1& 2) have expressed an interest in plutonium fuel (according to Nucleonics Week, 4/4/96). In addition, the use of MOX (plutonium) fuel would increase the stress on aging reactors and components, potentially resulting in additional waste from more old parts needing replacement. Plutonium, among other elements in so-called "low-level" atomic waste, remains radioactive and toxic for hundreds of thousands of years. The US government requires institutional control for only 100 years.