ISP moves to moot only contention admitted by NRC ASLB in WCS CISF licensing proceeding

As made clear by postings at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) website on September 5, 2019, Interim Storage Partners (ISP) has moved to moot the only contention admitted by NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB), in the Waste Control Specialists (WCS) consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) licensing proceeding.

Sierra Club was the only intervenor to achieve both legal standing, and an admitted contention, in the proceeding. Sierra Club's contention has to do with two species of endangered lizards, which would be harmed if the ISP CISF for "temporary storage" of 40,000 metric tons of irradiated nuclear fuel and highly radioactive GTCC (Greater-Than-Class-C "low-level" radioactive waste) is constructed and operated. Sierra Club is represented by Cedar Rapids, Iowa attorney Wally Taylor.

Other intevenors, including Beyond Nuclear and Fasken Oil, did achieve legal standing, but the ASLB admitted none of their contentions for a hearing on the merits. Beyond Nuclear is represented by Washington, D.C. attorney Diane Curran, as well as Atlanta, Georgia attorney Mindy Goldstein.

A seven-group, national grassroots environmental coalition (Don't Waste Michigan et al.) was even denied legal standing. The coalition is represented by Toledo, Ohio attorney Terry Lodge.

All environmental intevenors have committed to appealing all adverse rulings by the ASLB to the full Nuclear Regulatory Commission itself, just as they have in the Holtec International/Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance CISF licensing proceeding. Holtec/ELEA propose "interim storage" for a whopping 173,600 metric tons of highly radioactive wastes. ISP/WCS in Andrews County, Texas, and Holtec/ELEA in southeast New Mexico, are located just 39 miles apart.