Cleanup of the old Sequoyah Fuels plant

GORE, Okla. (AP) _ Local residents voiced their concerns Tuesday night about radiation contamination as they met with officials to discuss Sequoyah Fuels Corp.'s plan to clean up its closed uranium

Wednesday, May 14th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

GORE, Okla. (AP) _ Local residents voiced their concerns Tuesday night about radiation contamination as they met with officials to discuss Sequoyah Fuels Corp.'s plan to clean up its closed uranium processing plant.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission representatives charged with eventually approving or denying the company's plan heard from residents, environmentalists and state officials.

``We're dealing with stuff that's going to affect people for eternity,'' said Muldrow resident Don Laster. ``When future generations are running around with three arms or three legs, it's too late. Let's do it right and not worry about what it's going to cost.''

The NRC has overseen Sequoyah Fuels' decommissioning efforts since the plant closed in 1993 after accidents resulted in one death, dozens of injuries and contaminated groundwater.

The company has proposed burying its contaminated waste in a clay-lined disposal cell on its old plant site. If approved, Sequoyah Fuels' cleanup could begin as early as 2005.