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Idaho supports plutonium production plan

Idaho is supporting an Energy Department proposal to start producing plutonium-238 for NASA and national security agencies at a federal nuclear research compound in eastern Idaho.

But in comments submitted Monday to the government, the state called on the Bush administration to spell out a plan to transfer the highly radioactive waste created at the Idaho National Laboratory to disposal sites out of state.

The state also wants the Energy Department to allow independent monitoring of air emissions and workplace safety at the proposed $300 million production facility.

With those caveats, the administration of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said it will endorse the government’s plan to consolidate U.S. production of plutonium-238 "space batteries" at the 890-square-mile complex outside of Idaho Falls.

"It’s a concept we can support, but there are some details that still need to be worked out and DOE needs to improve some of its evaluation and communication," said Kathleen Trever, Kempthorne’s coordinator for oversight of the lab.

By Christopher Smith, The Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2005-08-30-idaho-plutonium_x.htm

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