By Zelie Pollon - Santa Fe, New Mexico - Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:40pm EDT (Reuters) - The U.S. government should rethink plans for a multi-billion dollar plutonium complex at Los Alamos after the recent nuclear catastrophe in Japan and the discovery of increased seismic risk in New Mexico, nuclear watchdog groups said.
A hearing began on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on a lawsuit filed by the Los Alamos Study Group seeking to block any further design, construction or funding of the proposed Chemical and Metallurgy Research Replacement Nuclear Facility until adequate studies of environmental impact and alternatives are complete. Arguments are expected to continue on Monday.
"The real question is whether Los Alamos and the country need this facility at all," asked Greg Mello, executive director of the Los Alamos Study Group. "Between now and 2023, this facility will generate nothing but cost to national security, to the environment, and to the taxpayer, no matter what design they choose. So the point is: Why build it?"
Los Alamos National Laboratory spokesman Kevin Roark said the proposed nuclear facility would replace existing capability at the old Chemical and Metallurgy Research building, which is a chemistry laboratory used to make sure plutonium is weapons grade and for ongoing quality control.
Nuclear watchdog groups slam New Mexico plan - Reuters
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