TRENTON, N.J., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- New Jersey officials are criticizing U.S. plans to clean radioactive sites, saying the federal proposals are deficient and might endanger the public.
At issue are sites formerly operated by the Shield Alloy Metallurgical Corp. and H. Hovnanian Industries, both of which accumulated a massive pile of radioactive material during 30 years of manufacturing, The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.
Both companies are going out of business and the dispute centers on what is to be done with the radioactive wastes they leave behind.
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine says the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission apparently is ready to accept inadequate decontamination plans at both places.
Corzine is trying to quash the NRC plans, the newspaper reported, and assume regulation of the radioactive material.
"These are good examples of the kinds of problems that come up because of what we believe is the NRC's lack of good oversight," Lisa Jackson, New Jersey Environmental Protection commissioner, told the Star-Ledger.
The NRC, however, says it never accepts plans that are not safe.
Corzine wants his state to assume regulation of sources of radioactivity, as do 34 other states.
