MONIZ AND NEVADA GOV. SANDOVAL TO FORM WORKING GROUP ON U-233 SHIPMENTS

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) and Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz this week agreed to form a working group to find a path forward for disposal of a controversial batch of uranium-233 at the Nevada National Security Site. The group, which plans to meet soon, will be led by DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Brad Crowell and Sandoval’s General Counsel Michon Martin, WC Monitor has learned. Heading the panel with political, rather than technical, experts reflects the nature of the issue—In recent months Sandoval and members of Nevada’s Congressional delegation have criticized the Department’s plans to ship material from Consolidated Edison Uranium Solidification Project canisters currently stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and raised concern about a lack of communication from DOE on its plans for the uranium-233 and the future of NNSS.

But it appears that a resolution could be on the horizon for the CEUSP shipments. In the meantime, the delays are reducing by about $3 million per month cost savings the Department had hoped to realize with disposal in Nevada when compared to previously considered approaches. Following a meeting in Las Vegas Tuesday, Moniz and Sandoval said in a joint statement that they “enjoyed another productive conversation” regarding missions at NNSS.  “We discussed issues surrounding the U-233 shipments and the creation of a working group to strengthen communication on these issues,” they said. “Both the State of Nevada and the Department of Energy look forward to continuing our dialogue as we continue working to resolve these issues.”