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| PR99:129 | |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 1999 |
CONTACT: Michael Bustamante (916) 445-4571 |
GOVERNOR DAVIS NOT TO APPEAL WARD VALLEY DISTRICT COURT DECISION
Gov. Davis to Convene Panel on Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gray Davis today announced his decision not to pursue an appeal of the U.S. District Court March decision regarding the transfer of federal land in Ward Valley for the construction of a low-level radioactive waste dump that has been marked by controversy.
"Rather than fight a long, protracted appeal over a divisive and controversial site for low level radioactive waste disposal, Governor Davis believes the state must find pragmatic alternatives that are both environmentally sound and make good business sense," said Michael Bustamante, Governor Davis’ press secretary.
Governor Davis has asked the President of the University of California, Richard Atkinson, to chair an advisory group charged with proposing ways to find workable alternatives for California’s low level radioactive waste disposal. The advisory group will be made up of experts with diverse points of view, including academic, scientific, environmental, and biotechnology experts, and representatives from the utilities industry and appropriate state agencies.
In March, U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Interior, which had been sued by U.S. Ecology and the State of California to compel the transfer of federal land to California for construction of the Ward Valley site.
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GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS · SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814 · (916) 445-2871 |
