Peace activists seek more time for public comment on the Y-12 earthquake security plan – News – Oakridger – Oak Ridge, TN

Activists are calling on the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy to give the public more time to review the seismic risk study posed by nuclear production facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Activists are calling on the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy to give the public more time to review the seismic risk study posed by nuclear production facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

NNSA released a draft seismic risk assessment on April 9, with a 30-day period for public comments.

The accident area described in the report covers a 50-mile radius including the cities of Knoxville and Oak Ridge and the entire counties of Blount, Campbell and Scott. The study predicts until 2030, when 1.5 million people are expected to live 50 miles from Y-12.

The study indicates that the risk of radiation exposure and risk of accidents due to earthquakes is low. But in the event of an accident under the current production plan that uses old buildings, the accident will be “ten times greater” than if it was completely located in a new building.

East Tennessee is one of the most seismically active regions in the United States. While most earthquakes in the region are so small that they cannot be felt without scientific instruments, strong earthquakes occur frequently. In 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey included East Tennessee in a high-risk earthquake zone.

In an open letter, the Oak Ridge Alliance for Environmental Peace (OREPA) called on agencies to extend the public comment period for earthquake readiness analysis for older buildings still used to house parts of the Y-12 production process.

“These are largely unusual times, and (government agencies) should provide relief to the public as they strive to fully inform themselves of the content (of earthquake safety analysis) and prepare comments,” they wrote.

“We are in a national emergency,” said Ralph Hutchison, President of OREPA, noting the coronavirus pandemic and the obstacles it poses to public comments. The fact that they basically say “hello and use the comment period” where nothing is wrong is really abusive. “

“They have nothing to lose by making comments,” he said, adding: “They are still doing work there.”

NNSA spokesman Stephen White said in an email to Knox News that a request to extend the suspension period is pending.

The study, “Draft Supplementary Analysis of Final Environmental Impact Statement at the Site Level for National Security Complex Y-12, Earthquake Incident Analysis”, examines the potential threat that an earthquake may pose to a new uranium processing facility (UPF) and several older buildings still in use .

The analysis examines what could happen if the old buildings were not modernized to current earthquake standards, a project that was recognized by NNSA in 2016 that would be “very expensive”.

“I think the public deserves to make this account on behalf of the public,” said Hutchison, a peace activist. “(The National Security Agency) assumes that you are not willing to spend your tax dollars to keep your children safe from disaster in this bomb factory.”

In a previous evaluation, the National Security Agency said, “Minor to moderate damage is usually expected from an earthquake.”

The study was conducted in response to a court order issued by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

It was part of an ongoing legal battle between NNSA and DOE and several nonprofits including OREPA.

Prosecutors have accused federal agencies of violating the Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for failing to update the potential environmental impact of the Y-12 based on changes in the UPF design and updates to the seismic risk maps of the U.S. Geological Survey.

In a fragmented decision, the court rejected the plaintiffs’ call for a new environmental impact assessment, but supported the need for an earthquake risk analysis.

“The court found that the defendants acted arbitrarily and volatilely … in their failure to assess the environmental impacts of increased seismic risk expectations by USGS for East Tennessee,” wrote Judge Pamela Reeves in her decision.

Members of Congress called on all federal agencies to change the way business is managed during COVID-19. In an open letter, 20 senators asked federal agencies to extend all public comment periods and pause any rule-making activity.

Senators wrote: “The abolition of public meetings and home-stay orders currently prohibits millions of low-income and rural Americans from entering the government, along with Indian tribes, which are obligated by the government in law to consult with them.”

Senators wrote that many poor and rural people lacked broadband and internet access, making remote government meetings useless.

A NNSA spokesman confirmed that it had taken precautions for COVID-19. Many support staff work remotely. Production, construction, maintenance and security personnel are still working on site.

“All operations, systems and facilities will be maintained in safe and secure configurations. The main mission activities related to stock control and modernization, key infrastructure and the re-establishment of productive capabilities will continue.” NNSA spokeswoman Catherine King said: “The construction of the uranium processing facility will continue during this period.”

UPF workers are required to complete a health questionnaire at home and check their temperature before entering the site.

King wrote, “A large number of employees are working remotely, and many are still working on site on critical operations with a limited mission that supports our important national security mission.” “There are provisions in the contract to ensure payment of employee salaries, whether on or off site.”

Two other NNSA sites, Los Alamos National Lab and Savannah River, extended 15-day public comment periods to give people more time to review the production of proposed expansions of plutonium drilling.

People interested in reading and submitting a public comment can find the report at https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-nepa-reading-room, search for document number “EIS-0387”

Comments can be sent: by US mail to Mrs. Terry Slack, P.O. Box 2050 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 or via email to [email protected] The public comment period ends on May 11, 2020.

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