EnergySolutions Files Motion for Re-hearing in Barnwell Case

EnergySolutions filed a motion for re-hearing with the South Carolina Court of Appeals late last week in an attempt to reverse the court’s decision from earlier this month that asserted the Barnwell low-level waste disposal facility’s disposal practices were not in compliance with safety regulations. The court did not immediately revoke the license, but it did give Chem-Nuclear, a subsidiary of EnergySolutions, 90 days to establish an action plan that would address the areas where the site was not in compliance, especially in regards to rain water contamination. Should the plan fail to adequately address these areas, the court would then revoke the license. EnergySolutions, however, maintains the site is in full compliance and protective of public safety. “We filed a motion for rehearing to correct errors in the court’s opinion,” EnergySolutions spokesman Mark Walker said. “It is important to note that the opinion is based exclusively upon a record created in 2005. We have made improvements to the facility and operating procedures since 2005 proceeding with concurrence of our State regulator. These improvements should resolve the issues raised by the court’s opinion. We remain committed to compliance and safety.”