H 4153 Session 109 (1991-1992)
H 4153 Concurrent Resolution, By H.H. Keyserling, Cork and J.M. White
A Concurrent Resolution to memorialize the United States Congress and the
United States Department of Energy to take action to prevent the restart of
the K-reactor at the Savannah River Site until there is compliance with
certain environmental and safety requirements.
01/15/92 House Introduced HJ-25
01/15/92 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-25
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO TAKE ACTION
TO PREVENT THE RESTART OF THE K-REACTOR AT THE
SAVANNAH RIVER SITE UNTIL THERE IS COMPLIANCE WITH
CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
Whereas, changes in the international situation have reduced the
immediate need for additional nuclear weapons; and
Whereas, operation of the K-reactor at the Savannah River site without
a cooling tower will result in discharges of scalding water to the
environment in excess of Clean Water Act standards, which discharges
would destroy hundreds of acres of wetlands; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Energy is constructing a
cooling tower which will enable the K-reactor to comply with the Clean
Water Act and protect South Carolina's wetlands; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Energy has outlined a
program of safety upgrades which will not be put in place until after a
period of K-reactor operation; and
Whereas, the safety program upgrade to be implemented after restart
includes testing and possible replacement of six K-reactor heat
exchangers like the one which released one hundred fifty gallons of
tritiated water into the Savannah River during December, 1991; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Energy has ignored its own
experts' warnings about the danger of tritium spills at the Savannah
River site, as stated in the United States Department of Energy study
entitled "Report of the Task Group on Operation of Department of
Energy Tritium Facilities"; and
Whereas, tritium releases into the Savannah River have endangered the
health of citizens living downstream of the Savannah River site; and
Whereas, tritium releases into the Savannah River have caused economic
harm to the individuals, businesses, and water authorities located
downstream of the Savannah River site; and
Whereas, there is potential for much greater economic harm and harm
to the public health in the future. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this
resolution, memorializes the United States Congress and the United
States Department of Energy to take action to prevent the restart of the
K-reactor at the Savannah River site until the new cooling tower is
operative, the new safety upgrade program is operative, the Department
of Energy has in place an alternative water source contingency plan
which has been agreed upon by Savannah River water users, and the
Department of Energy has in place a plan which will guarantee full
financial restitution to individuals, businesses, and governmental
jurisdictions which are financially harmed by tritium releases.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each
member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation and the
Director of the United States Department of Energy.
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