SAVANNAH RIVER CITIZEN’S GROUP URGES DOE ACTION ON TANK WASTE ISSUE

Facing steep funding cuts to the Savannah River Site’s tank waste cleanup program, the site’s Citizens Advisory Board this week urged action from DOE in a number of recommendations. The recommendations were approved at the CAB’s full board meeting Tuesday. One called for DOE to include enough funding in its Fiscal Year 2015 budget request to meet all commitments to the state for high level waste tank cleanup and closure. The FY’14 request, which cut liquid waste funds by $183 million, is expected to result in missed milestones. Another CAB recommendation calls for regular public meetings, starting before the end of the year, “to provide accurate, honest, frank, up-to-date information about the human health and environmental dangers, technological challenges, budget details, timetable and successes of the tank closure program.” Additionally, the CAB recommended that “DOE review the available technologies for liquid waste treatment and any feasible technological improvements.” The CAB also asked DOE to evaluate whether tanks could be cleaned to a lesser extent without increasing risk long-term, freeing up funds to close more tanks.