News Release

State of South Carolina

Office of the Governor

David M. Beasley

Governor

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For Immediate Release Contact: Robyn Zimmerman

May 14, 1996 803/734-9840

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR DAVID M. BEASLEY

(Columbia) -- Governor David M. Beasley issued a statement today opposing the Record of Decision on foreign research reactor spent fuel announced yesterday by the Department of Energy:

"I have stated many times that I strongly oppose, and will continue to fight, the shipment of highly radioactive foreign spent fuel into South Carolina. My position is based on the following facts: The Clinton Administration is providing South Carolina with no credible long-term management plan for the fuel. I support the nonproliferation goals of the United States. However, the Administration has not shown that any proliferation threat outweighs legitimate concerns about the welfare of South Carolina and, indeed, America. This is irresponsible governing. Therefore, today I am asking Attorney General Condon to file a federal lawsuit to stop this nuclear material from entering our State.

I am disappointed by Secretary O'Leary's inability to understand that the people of South Carolina will not accept DOE initiatives which are full of unanswered questions. On April 29, I wrote Secretary O'Leary asking her to delay making this decision until concerns about the safety of the "canyons" at Savannah River Site were resolved. This she has refused to do. Even though she acknowledges that uncertainties about the canyons will remain until the analysis is complete, she has decided to go ahead without giving South Carolina the answers it deserves.

The Department of Energy intends to send between 150 and 300 shipments over the next 13 years through the Port of Charleston, which is one of the busiest commercial ports on the East Coast. From there DOE plans to send the fuel over land to the Savannah River Site. Despite the fact that the entire impact of this plan falls on South Carolina, Secretary O'Leary has made no guarantee of assistance to assure safe transport across our State. On the other hand, California, which is scheduled to receive only 5 shipments during that same time, has already been promised 4 million dollars to protect the health and safety of California citizens.

I believe the environmental studies are deficient and do not provide assurance that the citizens of this State will be protected. Once again, the Clinton Administration has given a Governor of South Carolina no option but to seek relief through the courts."

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