Burnt Orange Report

You're a little off base on this. The Andrews project has been on and off again for years. And Waste Control Specialists will still have to go through the rigorous permitting process to open their facility...the same process that it would have to go through if it were owned by Dems, Martians, or anyone else.

"Rigorous permitting process"? By TCEQ? That's a laugh.

HB 1567 from the regular 2003 session that formally established the dump had the State Health Services Department, not even TCEQ, in charge of permitting the dump. Fortunately, that was changed this past session so that TCEQ has more control, but it's still inadequate oversight -- mainly for the massive amount of federal waste from Fernald (that was, BTW, never discussed when the Lege met in 2003).

WCS has and will continue to poke holes in the permit it got from the State HS Dept, for the millions upon millions (rumored even in the billion) of dollars in profits it seeks from the state and federal dumps it now operates. I think it was a good post.

Kris, you are definitely correct to the extent that WCS has been slowed by the permitting process. Nevertheless, you overestimate TCEQ's ability and will to critically investigate the proposal before issuing a permit.

Texas environmental regulations are modest at best, and it doesn't help that TCEQ hasn't seen a substantial budget increase in almost ten years. In fact, they've had to cut funds for areas such as enforcement, investigations, and permitting.

For instance, Perry just recently signed HB 1609 which effectively takes away the public hearing requirement before issuing a municipal waste dump permit. A similar bill was filed during the regular session by Rep. Bonnen, and it applied to all TCEQ waste permits. Luckily it didn't pass.

Also, keep in mind that he who has the gold makes the rules. Simmons, WCS, and all the officeholders who've received donations from them have the ability and will to change the laws to suit their interests.

Ultimately, the permitting issue is merely a side issue. My original argument as described in my post was that WCS will be the first private corp. in the nation to profit from nuclear waste dumping. Furthermore, WCS would not have made it this far without the backing of those in power.

I was under the impression that this facility would also undergo DOE certification. Perhaps that's changed or I'm mistaken. I don't mind that it's a private firm doing the disposal as long as there is proper government oversite. Afterall, it is private waste that's being disposed.

Of course, you are right about TCEQ's lack of enforcement capability and Texas' weaker than water, too business friendly environmental laws.

At least one of Simmons's daughters has become a substantial donor to Dallas Democratic causes in the past year. And it's the trust fund shared by her and her siblings that apparently actually owns NL Industries, although Simmons presently runs the firm. There has been a substantial amount of litigation between the kids and Dad over control of the various entities, but the upshot appears to be that the money will eventually end up (at least in part) supporting Democratic causes.

(not that it matters at this instant, but it's still an illustration of irony)

And while we are at it, here is a fun little survey pointing out which state has the highest risk per capita of hazardous waste in the event of a disaster:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jul-06-Wed-2005/news/26836732.html

Sleep tight.