UC Merced

My dissertation project seeks to examine the challenge of storage, packaging, and disposal policies of radioactive nuclear waste (RNW) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The INL sits on top of the Snake River Aquifer, which is the largest water resource for Idaho residents and farming communities. In the 1940s, the U.S. government negotiated the establishment of the INL by enticing the State of Idaho with a substantial economic package, promise of high-tech jobs, and participation in research of nuclear and other technologies. In 1961, the first commercial nuclear accident in the world happened at the INL; a Breeder nuclear reactor explosion destroyed the structure, killing three workers, and the radiation escaped into the atmosphere. Later, in 1976, the Teton Dam collapse resulted in killing many people, causing millions of dollars of crops and property damage, and the floodwaters gushed through the RNW trenches at the INL. These events solidified the dangers of nuclear technology and the fear of contamination of the Snake River Aquifer in the minds of Idaho residents. In addition, reports of RNW being poured directly into the Snake River from the INL eroded any credibility U.S. government had established through numerous promises of safe and comprehensive RNW policies. As the volume of RNW grew at the INL so did the fear of contamination of the Snake River, the Idahoans drew parallels with the Columbia River, Washington which had been contaminated with high-level RNW from the leaking storage tanks at the Hanford Reservation. After many broken promises by U.S. officials, Idaho politicians and residents raised their voices in protest against the storage, packaging, and disposal of RNW at the INL and demanded their removal outside of Idaho into a permanent repository. The U.S. government did not have a comprehensive RNW policy in the country and no state wanted a RNW repository in their territories. Governor Cecil Andrus directed the Idaho State Troopers to block boxcars carrying RNW from Rocky Flats facility in Colorado. Later, in 1991, the State of Idaho and the Shoshone-Bannock Indian tribes sued the U.S. government demanding removal of all RNW from the INL complex to a permanent repository outside of Idaho, and no more RNW shipments to the INL. In 1995, a Settlement Agreement was reached between both parties that required RNW to be removed from the INL by 2035. However, many shocked Idahoans pointed out shortcomings of the Settlement Agreement which might provide U.S. government further access and leverage. According to reports, eastern- Idaho residents are not worried about RNW storage and disposal at the INL which suggests that the residents of eastern-Idaho benefit monetarily due to the economic stimulus provided by the INL’s location. This study utilizes various primary and secondary sources in an historiographical manner to understand how the INL became a nuclear waste dump from a nuclear research laboratory and how it is still playing an important role in the research of nuclear and other technologies. Further analysis of archival and research data will aid in understanding how the monetary benefits from the INL are centered in eastern-Idaho region, while the fears of RNW contamination of Snake River Aquifer are still present. What results have the U.S. RNW policy produced in the country? Why is production of nuclear weapons, energy, and other usages highlighted, while the nuclear waste storage and disposal issues are ignored? The study reveals how the lack of a comprehensive RNW policy has put the health and safety of present and future generations of Americans at risk.