Governor Nikki Haley threat that she would sue the US Department of Energy for the failure of the agency to meet the January 1 fuel deadline. She asked the South Carolina top prosecutors to pursue the suit and collect $1 million fine per day.
According to ABC News, the Governor said that the federal government has again failed to keep its promise to the people of the state. She said that the people of South Carolina will not let DOE continue its violation of the federal law. MOX or the Savanah River Site mix-oxide project is made to turn weapon-grade plutonium into a commercial nuclear reactor fuel, it is now behind schedule and billions of dollars over its original budget. MOX is with a full contract with Russia to dispose of at least 32 metric tons of weapon-grade plutonium.
As reported by the Seattle Times, Since the project is still not operational, it hasn't been able to remove 1 metric ton of plutonium from south Carolina by January 1 and should be fined with $1million a day for economic and impact assistance and up to $100milion yearly. This sanction will be lifted only if the facility meets the production goals or the plutonium is taken out for storage or disposal.
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was warned by the governor that the state would be forced to take legal actions if the agency will not make any payments. She said that the agency committed to removing the plutonium from the Savannah River and recognized South Carolinas critical role in the nonproliferation efforts.
Last 2014, South Carolina also took legal actions against the Obama administration after they wanted to close the project because of cost overruns and delays. The case state that the federal government had made a promise to South Carolina and the government should fulfill it. After several months, the state dropped the case when the administration committed to funding the project within that year. Until now, the federal government is still looking for cheaper methods on how to dispose of the plutonium.
