Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board Chairman Joyce Connery The Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board announced that it will hold a public hearing March 22 in Santa Fe.
The board will hear from its own staff and from LANL, DOE and NNSA officials on new and residual management and safety issues concerning Area G, Los Alamos National Laboratory’s hazardous waste disposal area.
In a prepared statement Thursday, DNFSB Chairman Joyce Connery said, “With the upcoming wildfire season, the Board is interested in understanding potential hazards to the workforce and public posed by management of transuranic waste at Area G. The Board is looking forward to hearing from DOE, NNSA and the laboratory leadership about steps taken and planned to ensure safe management of transuranic waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.”
DNFSB officials have been monitoring Area G activities closely throughout this year as corrective actions proceed related to the underground radiation incident two years ago at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad.
DNFSB site representatives have been particularly attentive in their weekly reports about activities related to the inappropriately remediated nitrate salt-bearing wastes that remain under surveillance in climate-controlled conditions at Area G. The chairman also has expressed concerns about emergency preparedness at Area G.
Public participation is invited.
The hearing is 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 West Marcy St. in Santa Fe. Parking will be available at no cost.
The hearing also will be streamed live on the DNFSB website www.dnfsb.gov. Details are available in the Federal Register.
