By: Joan Bien

Joan Bien — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:23:00 +0000

When I interviewed Norm Riley, I asked innocuous questions which were mostly open ended. Mr. Riley chose the tone and content of the interview. He made it quite clear that SB 990 is an obstacle to Boeing’s intended clean up strategy. He also made it clear that he completely agrees with Boeing that the standard of clean up as required by SB 990 is not reasonable, not necessary, and conveyed the message that Boeing will do whatever is necessary to see that it is not going to be done. Although he warned me that I had better not say in the article that he said he was not going to do his job at DTSC, which is to follow the law of SB 990, he also was quite specific about the extreme nature of SB 990 and how the clean up was not going to be completed by 2017 or any specific date. I did not say that he was not going to follow the law and do his job. Those were his words, not mine.

It mystifies me why anyone who has worked so hard for so long to achieve a clean up of the vast contamination at SSFL would want someone in charge of the project who is so obviously against it. It appears that Mr. Riley has agreed with Boeing’s strategy to stall and postpone, even to the point where he delivered to me their threat of litigation based on unconstitutionality. Boeing refused to deny they were planning to sue the state. These do not seem to be acts or words of cooperation or negotiation.

Finally, someone picked up on Mr. Riley’s failure to represent the state with zeal and removed him from this key position. It seems to be an appropriate action and one which will finally unstick this process. Mr. Riley was apparently removed from his position for cause and Governor Schwarzenegger’s legacy will be one which only his actions in office will determine. SB 990 is the law. It only makes sense to have the point man for the state be someone who will move that law into action with all of their energy instead of being a messenger for Boeing’s opposition to the law.

By: christina walsh

christina walsh — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:48:56 +0000

PLEASE READ the ORDER
Don’t we want the LAND OWNER in the ORDER?
http://www.dtsc-ssfl.com/files/lib_pub_comment_docs/docs_for_review/3842_DRAFT%20Consent%20Order%20DOE%20NASA,%208-2009.pdf
for example, please read this section:
DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY
1.3.3. Additional Statement of Authorities Related to DOE. In addition to the authorities cited in Section 1.3.2 above, DOE also enters into this Order pursuant to its authority and responsibilities under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), 42 U.S.C. 2011, et seq, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5801, et seq., and the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, 42 U.S.C. 7101, et seq. It is DOE’s legal position that California does not have regulatory authority over DOE with respect to radioactive material. DOE and DTSC agree that the cleanup of the SSFL needs to move forward and wish to cooperate to achieve this end. DOE believes that its Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Simi Hills, Ventura County, California Consent Order for Response Action, Docket No. legal position is not an obstacle to achieving a cooperative and timely cleanup of the site, including the radioactive materials, in a manner consistent with SB990 due to factors unique to the site, including the fact that DOE is not the landowner. Without waiving its legal position or the rights reserved in this Order, and as an exercise of comity between DOE and the State of California, DOE agrees to cooperate with implementation of this amended Consent Order. Therefore, DOE agrees to comply with and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Order. If necessary, DTSC and DOE will engage in the dispute resolution process described in this Order, and, subject to that process, may also utilize such other informal dispute resolution procedures as the parties agree are appropriate in order to achieve the shared goal of moving the cleanup forward, and resolving any environmental or legal conflicts, without litigation.

If you just read the first 15 pages or so, you will all have a much more clear understanding the challenges and things that need to be dealt with, while still moving somehow forward like we have been since the original consent order was signed in 2007. This is over a hundred pages of very dry material, and there are important issues sprinkled throughout. The above section is just one example where the need for clarity and context are particularly important. Please take the time to read the entire document, and really think about it, as you formulate your comments on the Order which we are being given a unique opportunity to really have a say. PLEASE USE YOUR VOICE NOW. NOW more than ever, we need you to state what is important to you. THE MOST PROTECTIVE CLEANUP WE CAN GET is what I really want, and part of the calculation to exposure to contaminants is TIME. …and we are so close…
please read the order.
http://www.dtsc-ssfl.com/files/lib_pub_comment_docs/docs_for_review/3842_DRAFT%20Consent%20Order%20DOE%20NASA,%208-2009.pdf
we have a little less than a month. Really read it, talk about it, think about it, use your voice.
Comments go to Rbrausch@dtsc.ca.gov

Comments on: Double Vision

By: Joan Bien

By: christina walsh