Hodel fuels controversy: critics say campaign remarks damage waste program

Journal Article · · Res. Ex.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5794367

Harris, T K

Critics of the federal effort to seek a disposal site for radioactive wastes complain that Energy Secretary Hodel politicized the process during the 1984 election campaign when he spoke on behalf of Texas Senator Phil Gramm, who opposes Texas as the first site for development. Officials from other potential sites argue that the decision should be based on technical and objective criteria, not political pressure. Besides the political tone, Hodel's comments in Texas imply that a presidential decision can be affected by state objections, which misinterprets the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. States which are potential repository sites have raised issues which can form the basis for future litigation and taken other steps that could lead to prolonged debate over monitored retrieval storage (MRS). The basic issue, however, is whether or not the US can deal with the nuclear waste problem.

• OSTI ID: 5794367
• Journal Information: Res. Ex.; (United States), Journal Name: Res. Ex.; (United States) Vol. 2:6; ISSN REEXE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
DECISION MAKING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEGAL ASPECTS
MANAGEMENT
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SITE SELECTION
STATE GOVERNMENT
STORAGE
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE