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.

DOE EM Update – WVDP Helps Lead Full-Scale Exercise to Prepare for Emergency Incidents

August 20, 2019 – EM and its cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project(WVDP) recently conducted a full-scale exercise with local emergency response personnel.

WVDP’s environmental and radiological controls departments, and the site’s emergency medical response, security, and other teams joined with West Valley Fire & Rescue and Cattaraugus County’s sheriff’s department, special response team, and emergency services personnel for the training, which tested the skills and response of participants in a mock emergency involving intruders to the site intending to cause damage. The Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Bomb Squad also took part in the exercise. Link to Update

Dallasnews.com – Jacobs expands nuclear business with $300 million purchase of Scottish firm’s assets

August 20, 2019 – Dallas-based engineering firm Jacobs is expanding its nuclear power business with a $300 million acquisition of a Scottish firm’s assets.

Jacobs announced the deal Monday with John Wood Group, an Aberdeen, Scotland-based company that provides a range of services to the energy industry. About 90% of JWG’s nuclear holdings are in England, including the U.K.’s largest independent nuclear research facility. Link to article

Olean Times Herald – Reed visits West Valley site to view results of extra cleanup funds

August 14, 2019 – U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, visited the West Valley Demonstration Project Tuesday, saying it helps justify his support for the nuclear cleanup.

“They wanted to show us the results of what $75 million a year for seven years looks like,” Reed said after what has become an annual tour.

“To see firsthand the results of the investments is very helpful for me,” the Southern Tier congressman said. Link to article

WBFO – Local activists highlight connection between indigenous and nuclear issues

August 9, 2019 – A celebration of Indigenous Peoples and Nuclear-Free Future Day returns Friday to the Buffalo History Museum. Ahead of the event, local Native Americans and environmental activists explained how the issues of indigenous peoples and nuclear power are intertwined. Link to article

Buffalo News – Letter: Nuclear power opinion does not consider factors

July 24, 2019 – In Another Voice, July 18, Professor Michael D. Garrick supports the continued use of nuclear power to avoid the limitations he sees in today’s wind and solar power for meeting New York’s energy needs while averting the climate crisis. Link to letter