WASHINGTON, DC –Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today praised the release of a National Academy of Sciences report detailing possible security risks of storing spent fuel rods at nuclear facilities.  The classified version of this report had been completed in July 2004, but objections by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission had held up release of the unclassified version of the study until today.

Last week, Lowey called for expedited release of the study.  Lowey made the following comments upon its release today:

“I’m glad that after so many months, the public finally has the opportunity to review this study.  Public safety officers need to know about every risk at our nuclear facilities, and the public deserves information about the steps being taken to protect our families.

“This report makes clear that more can be done to minimize risks associated with spent fuel storage, and I’m concerned that the NRC has not done the analysis needed to ensure that we safeguard all nuclear materials.  I’ll be following up on the recommendations and findings of this report to make sure we are doing everything we can to make our communities safer.”