Nuclear trash or treasure?

THE STORY: For some, Waste Control Specialists' sprawling radioactive waste dump in Andrews County is a godsend. To Sierra Club members, a former Texas Commission on Environmental Quality geologist and some residents of Eunice, N.M., the site has grave potential to pollute.

THE LINK: www.oaoa.com/articles/waste_19315___article.html/andrews_radioactive.html

THE POLL: Do you think the TCEQ should have granted a public hearing on the WCS license to dispose of radioactive by-product waste?
>> Yes: 56 percent (5 votes).
>> No: 44 percent (4 votes).
YOUR COMMENTS:
>> oldodessan: "Let's see. If the company is so confident, why did they insist that the state of Texas pass a law putting all liability for any failure on the state of Texas instead of the company?
"Red bed impenetrable, is it? Wonder how they think all that water got UNDER it to start with? Couldn't have just percolated through, could it?
"Nah, that would mean that big business is lying to make a buck and will leave the taxpayers of Texas holding the bag for money when it fails. And the ruined water for west Texas? Well, who cares about west Texans, anyway?
"They're obviously not even worth an open hearing."
>> sreavis: "I have worked for WCS for almost ten years. I have a degree in environmental science and have personally worked on this license. I have family that ranches in the area in fact my cousin runs cattle on the neighboring ranch to the North. I am 100% confident that the science is sound, the geology is porperly characterized and the local population will not be adversly affected in any way. WCS has been completely open with the community and has nothing to hide. The company is a good neighbor and very good to it's employees."
>> baltzer: "I'm the President of WCS and have been very involved in our licensing efforts and community outreach efforts. I wanted to respond to some of the comments posted.
"The saturation in the 225 foot zone is age dated to 16,000 years ago. That's the last ice age. It hasn't moved inches since it was deposited.
"As far as leaving Texas holding the bag, WCS is required to put up millions of dollars of financial assurance to make sure that doesn't happen. At the end of the life of the byproduct facility, the federal government will take ownership of the site. Texas won't be left holding the bag.
"The tidbit you posted about nothing to hide is actually from our press release where we informed the world about our notice of violation. All of our recent press releases are posted on our web site at wwww.wcstexas.com. You'll also find more information and videos about our site and the proposed licenses."