ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state of New Mexico is strongly objecting to a recommendation by federal nuclear regulators that a license be granted to build a multibillion-dollar storage facility for spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants around the U.S. State officials in a letter submitted Tuesday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the site is geologically unsuitable and regulators have failed to consider environmental justice concerns. A group of state lawmakers also has raised concerns.
New Jersey-based Holtec International wants to build what it has described as a state-of-the-art complex that could one day hold as many as 10,000 canisters of spent nuclear fuel.