Safety lapses halt cleanup at former nuclear site

[struggle4progress]

February 18, 2005, 4:38 PM EST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two workers at a former nuclear site in western New York were exposed to higher doses of radiation than allowed under the site's own guidelines in one of three recent safety lapses that have led to a suspension of cleanup work there. <snip>

West Valley, about 35 miles south of Buffalo, was the site of the country's first commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing plant from 1966 to 1972. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and U.S. Department of Energy are partners in the ongoing decontamination and decommissioning of the site. <snip>

Paul Piciulo, NYSERDA's director at the site, said three safety lapses in a short period of time were concerning. The agency has in the past voiced concern about a DOE-driven acceleration of work at West Valley. <snip>

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--nuclearcleanup-ex0218feb18,0,407151.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork