Nuclear landfill in S.C. is closing

By: Associated Press | SCNow
Published: November 02, 2007

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Power plants, hospitals, universities and

companies in 36 states are looking for a new dumping option, with

the imminent closure of a low-level radioactive waste landfill in

South Carolina.

      The 235-acre Barnwell County site, near the Georgia line, opened

in 1971. Each year, the equivalent of more than 40 tractor-trailer

loads of waste was dumped there from 39 states. South Carolina

lawmakers ordered the operation to scale back in 2000.

      Only South Carolina and two other states will be allowed to

continue to use the site starting in July. Only two other landfills

now exist nationwide for low-level nuclear waste.

      Officials from the other states worry that the decision will

lead to numerous "temporary" storage sites across the country.

That will increase the danger of leakage and contamination.