Navy extends Idaho nuke deal 27 years

The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jun 6, 2008 7:59:36 EDT
 
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Navy is extending nuclear operations at the Idaho National Laboratory for at least another 27 years.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the agreement, which lasts at least until 2035. The agreement includes assurances that after 2035, Idaho will no longer be a spent fuel repository by default, Otter said.

Kathleen Trever, a consultant to the governor’s office, said the Navy currently has about 25 metric tons of heavy metal in Idaho. After 2035, that inventory would be capped at less than 10 metric tons.

The agreement is an extension of the 1995 court settlement between Idaho and the federal government, said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.