plutonium leak poses 'long-term threat'

[glorybebe]

A tank leaking plutonium at a contaminated nuclear waste site in Washington has prompted the state's governor to sound the alarm over the threat it poses.

"The lack of an immediate threat does not in any way shape or form should be allowed to reduce the recognition of the long-term threat of this material reaching the ground water or the Columbia River," Governor Jay Inslee said Saturday.

The U.S. Department of Energy has confirmed liquid levels are dropping in one of nearly 200 underground tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, about 400 kilometres southeast of Vancouver.

While there's no immediate risk to human health, critics worry it's only a matter of time until the toxic sludge finds its way into regional food systems.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/02/17/bc-nuclear-leak-hanford.html

Well, that's just great!

[+and-then]

It seems like this is a problem that actually has a solution. Why can't some of the billions we've spent on stimulus go to fix a leaking tank? This is insane. That area is one of the most beautiful in our country and it needs to be protected.

[AsteroidX]

Yeah. I think they pumped all that was accessible already and whats left will just have to "leak" out.

[glorybebe]

Yeah. I think they pumped all that was accessible already and whats left will just have to "leak" out.

*face palm* that really is fixing the problem....

This isn't too far south of me. I know there were some emittion leaks in that area in the 70s, too. And then Cominco and it's leaks. It is pretty sad.

[acidhead]

Pay the Japanese to clean it up. They've got plenty recent experience. Great resume.

[AsteroidX]

Yeah its just North of me about 200miles. But this stuff always seem to run downstream so you got that going for you glorbebe.

[glorybebe]

Yeah its just North of me about 200miles. But this stuff always seem to run downstream so you got that going for you glorbebe.

LOL, I guess, but, we are all one system here. I worry about the Columbia....how long before we find in it?

[AsteroidX]

The Willamette wich runs straight out of Portland is not so well off. They did clean it up some in the 90's but not sure if they kept it up. Oregon is a bit strict about its land use regulations but I still see dumping into the river from smoke stacked plants leaving a pond of sludge in the river. They got some bigger ones up in the Portland area they just pour into the river. No clue if its toxic and cant close to em with all the barbed wire fencing and no trespassing signs.

[ninjadude]

It seems like this is a problem that actually has a solution. Why can't some of the billions we've spent on stimulus go to fix a leaking tank? This is insane. That area is one of the most beautiful in our country and it needs to be protected.

1) because the stimulus was spent. How can you respend what was already spent?

2) according to republicans that would be socialism, corruption, or some other insanity. Falsely claiming that it can't be afforded.

[AsteroidX]

You dont even live in this part of the country.

1) because the stimulus was spent. How can you respend what was already spent?

2) according to republicans that would be socialism, corruption, or some other insanity. Falsely claiming that it can't be afforded.

You dont know what your talking about.

[ninjadude]

You dont even live in this part of the country.

what does that have to do with it?

You dont know what your talking about.

please explain. Can stimulus money be re-spend? have republicans not argued that ANY spending is socialism and cannot be afforded?

[AsteroidX]

Since you dont live near Hanford I dont feel the need to explain the nuclear waste situation there. For one this is a public forum and there are some things that dont need public exposure. Look in your own backyard for these types of problems Im sure youll find a few.

[glorybebe]

The Willamette wich runs straight out of Portland is not so well off. They did clean it up some in the 90's but not sure if they kept it up. Oregon is a bit strict about its land use regulations but I still see dumping into the river from smoke stacked plants leaving a pond of sludge in the river. They got some bigger ones up in the Portland area they just pour into the river. No clue if its toxic and cant close to em with all the barbed wire fencing and no trespassing signs.

Well, I know that Cominco got nailed for dumping toxic substances in the river- it was at night, and the stuff was glowing!