Shipping radioactive waste to Michigan would be banned under proposed legislation

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A state lawmaker is hoping to put a stop to radioactive waste being shipped to Michigan. The effort comes after radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project was set to be disposed of in metro Detroit.

The Manhattan Project was a secret government operation during World War II that saw the development of atomic bombs. Last month low-level radioactive soil from that project was set to be delivered to Wayne County until a judge’s temporary restraining order halted the delivery.

“There are a lot of other places that this could go especially closer to that facility so why does it have to come here,” State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) asked.

Sen. Camilleri blamed the state‘s low tipping fees and drop in funding at the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

Legislation Sen. Camilleri introduced would permanently prevent radioactive waste from being disposed of in Michigan.

“What we’re looking at doing is essentially regulating the system that currently has very little regulation,” Sen. Camilleri stated.

The legislation would require EGLE to develop a radioactive waste management plan within five years. During that time, storage facilities would not be built or expanded, and new hazardous waste injection wells would be completely banned.

“[EGLE] have other waste management plans across the state for different types of waste, but when it comes to radioactive waste this will allow us a pathway towards limiting some of that material that comes here to the state of Michigan,” Sen. Camilleri explained.

EGLE wrote in a statement that they are ‘working collaboratively with stakeholders on proposals regarding management of hazardous waste in Michigan.’ And wrote that they are ‘committed to ensuring the safety of Michigan’s communities and environment.'

If passed the legislation would restrict new hazardous waste facilities from being built in densely populated areas, or within 100 miles of an existing facility. Plus, it would also protect taxpayers from picking up the tab on cleanups.

“We need to ensure that we are taking care of our environment for generations to come that’s why it’s so important to have this conversation and regulate the type of material that is being dumped here in the state of Michigan,” Sen. Callimeri said.

Sen. Callimeri has sent the bill to the Energy Committee. He hopes to get the legislation passed before the end of the year.

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