In the News

Below are articles and other news published since the last West Valley Citizen Task Force Meeting. They relate to the West Valley Demonstration Project, nuclear waste cleanup or are otherwise relevant or of potential interest to stakeholders interested in the Project. After each Citizen Task Force Meeting, these articles are compiled into a single document and may be found with the meeting materials for that month.

Springville Journal – Ashford continues to work for WNYSSB

March 22, 2018 – “The Ashford Town Board heard recent updates and possible upcoming improvements to sections of the Western New York Southtown Scenic Byway that run through the town during its meeting March 14….

Heard an update from New York State Energy Research and Development Agency West Valley Program Director Paul Bembia. Based on input from its licensing support contractor, NYSERDA is revising their information package regarding the town’s proposal for a solar facility. Once revisions are made, the package will be submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for consideration.” Link to article.

WBFO – Discharge plan could harm the Allegheny River and the life it supports

March 22, 2018 – “A plan to discharge treated fracking water into the Allegheny River continues raising concerns. The Seneca Nation of Indians hosted a day-long conference on the controversial project Wednesday…..

‘At West Valley, they’re trying to process nuclear waste. They haven’t found a good way to process it. You can contain it. If you can contain it, that’s one thing. And if there is nuclear waste coming up from the fracking water, and they have it there, it’s going to contaminate our river,’ Gates said.” Link to article.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – At Alleghany River’s headwaters, treatment plant for fracking wastewater stirs debate

March 18, 2018 – “The Allegheny River begins its 325-mile meander to Pittsburgh’s Point in rural Potter County, flowing through town as a still, small stream — no wider than a country lane and rarely deeper than a fisherman’s chest waders. ….

And, in 1974, Seneca land was inundated by radioactive waste that washed out of a commercial disposal site near West Valley, N.Y….” Link to article

Olean Times Herald – County lawmakers

March 15, 2018 – County legislators heard a presentation from a Department of Energy Representative on upcoming scoping sessions for the phase 2 decision of the cleanup at the West Valley Demonstration Project in the town of Ashford. Link to article.

Post-Journal – Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to Assess Potential Effects Of Local Nuclear Project

March 11, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for decommissioning and/or Long-Term Stewardship at the West valley Demonstration Project and West New York Nuclear Service Center.” Link to Article