Congressman Salazar urges U.S. Energy Secretary to continue diversion of radioactive waste away from Conejos County

“My constituents do not want this waste to be brought to their community”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar released his letter asking U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to continue the diversion of low level radioactive waste away from Conejos County. The waste is being shipped from Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to Clive, Utah.

Below is a copy of that letter:

May 24, 2010

Steven Chu, Secretary

Department of Energy

1000 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20585

Re. Shipment of Class 9 and Class 7 remediation waste through Conejos County, Colorado

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I have been contacted by residents of Conejos County, Colorado concerned about the shipment of Class 9 and Class 7 remediation waste from Los Alamos National Labs through their county. As you may know, the shipment of this waste was first initiated in late November of 2009 without any communication with these communities. Rail shipments were suspended in mid-December of 2009 due to a combination of county land-use concerns and the need to apply for a state highway access permit.

Over the past five months, I have been working closely with Conejos County, the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad and Energy Solutions as the entities explore the scope of their regulatory jurisdiction at a trans-load facility next to the San Antonio River. Recent negotiations resulted in a draft Settlement Agreement that would allow shipments to move forward with express stipulations reflecting the concerns of my constituents. However, the Settlement did not satisfy the ongoing concerns of the community. During that time, I understand the shipment of this waste has been diverted outside of these communities to its destination in Clive, Utah.

Up until this point, out of respect to Conejos County’s land use jurisdiction and the right-of-way interests of the railroad, I have not felt it was appropriate to weigh-in on this matter. However, this issue remains highly controversial to the citizens of Conejos County. It is now quite obvious to me that my constituents do not want this waste to be brought to their community. While I understand this will require additional road miles, I ask you to use all discretion to continue to divert these shipments out of Conejos County until an agreement can be reached among Conejos County, Energy Solutions and the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad that is satisfactory to my constituents. As a proud Conejos County native, many of these constituents are my friends and neighbors.

Thank you very much for your consideration. Please keep my Alamosa office informed of any developments related to this matter.

Sincerely,

John T. Salazar

Member of Congress

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	For Immediate Release: May 27, 2010
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Contact: (202) 536-6190 Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
	Congressman Salazar urges U.S. Energy Secretary to continue diversion of radioactive waste away from Conejos County
	“My constituents do not want this waste to be brought to their community” WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar released his letter asking U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to continue the diversion of low level radioactive waste away from Conejos County. The waste is being shipped from Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to Clive, Utah. Below is a copy of that letter: May 24, 2010 Steven Chu, Secretary Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 Re. Shipment of Class 9 and Class 7 remediation waste through Conejos County, Colorado Dear Mr. Secretary: I have been contacted by residents of Conejos County, Colorado concerned about the shipment of Class 9 and Class 7 remediation waste from Los Alamos National Labs through their county. As you may know, the shipment of this waste was first initiated in late November of 2009 without any communication with these communities. Rail shipments were suspended in mid-December of 2009 due to a combination of county land-use concerns and the need to apply for a state highway access permit. Over the past five months, I have been working closely with Conejos County, the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad and Energy Solutions as the entities explore the scope of their regulatory jurisdiction at a trans-load facility next to the San Antonio River. Recent negotiations resulted in a draft Settlement Agreement that would allow shipments to move forward with express stipulations reflecting the concerns of my constituents. However, the Settlement did not satisfy the ongoing concerns of the community. During that time, I understand the shipment of this waste has been diverted outside of these communities to its destination in Clive, Utah. Up until this point, out of respect to Conejos County’s land use jurisdiction and the right-of-way interests of the railroad, I have not felt it was appropriate to weigh-in on this matter. However, this issue remains highly controversial to the citizens of Conejos County. It is now quite obvious to me that my constituents do not want this waste to be brought to their community. While I understand this will require additional road miles, I ask you to use all discretion to continue to divert these shipments out of Conejos County until an agreement can be reached among Conejos County, Energy Solutions and the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad that is satisfactory to my constituents. As a proud Conejos County native, many of these constituents are my friends and neighbors. Thank you very much for your consideration. Please keep my Alamosa office informed of any developments related to this matter. Sincerely, John T. Salazar Member of Congress
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