* "NO" on the Energy Bill , HR 6 *

AT THE REQUEST OF THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT, OHIO, NEW YORK AND UTAH CONGRESSMEN HAVE SLIPPED A PROVISION INTO THE ENERGY BILL (HR6) THAT WILL RE-CLASSIFY HIGH-LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE -- THE K-65 RESIDUES AT FERNALD, OH AND NIAGARA FALLS, NY -- AS LOW-LEVEL COMM ERCIAL WASTE. THIS WILL CLEAR THE WAY FOR UNSOUND MANAGEMENT OF THESE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND LONG-LIVED RACIOACTIVE WASTES.

IN 1994 DOE ISSUED A DECISION CALLING FOR THE VITRIFICATION OF THE FERNALD K-65 WASTES. IN 1995 THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ISSUED A REPORT IDENTIFYING THE NFSS K-65 WASTES AS NO DIFFERENT IN HAZARD THAN HIGH-LEVEL WASTE AND CALLING FOR ITS EXHUMATION. EPA AND NYS DEC ARE ON RECORD CALLING FOR THE APPLICATION OF 40 CFR PART 191, THE HIGH-LEVEL WASTE REGULATIONS, IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE MATERIALS.

FOR THIS REASON, AND THE OTHERS OUTLINED BELOW, PLEASE URGE YOUR CONGRESSMEN TO VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL -- AS THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION BEING OFFERED TO THE FULL CONGRESS IN THIS "TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT" OMNIBUS PACKAGE OF PORK.