November 17, 1966
Congress approves Fermi cleanup bill
Congress has approved a bill that would pay for the cleanup of the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. The hastily-written bill passed unanimously the Senate yesterday with a vote of 97-0, after passing with a resounding majority in the House earlier this week. The bill authorizes more than $300 million for cleanup of the Fermi site near Detroit, Michigan [1]. It is expected that these costs will be partially offset by funds from insurers, Detroit Edison, and the State of Michigan [2]. Funds have been allotted for the removal and disposal of radioactive materials and structures near the site and measures to minimize groundwater contamination. The bill also includes funds for the construction of a “sarcophagus” to cover what remains of the plant to limit the further release of radioactive materials into the environment.
The cleanup is expected to take five years and as many as ten thousand volunteers will be needed for the cleanup of the site, including scientists, engineers, construction workers, and other personnel. They will be recruited from both the military and from the private sector, providing much-needed jobs for those displaced by the evacuation of the surrounding area. Despite the risks of radiation poisoning, AEC officials state that all appropriate safety precautions will be taken at the site. Radiation will be closely monitored to ensure that workers do not exceed recommended dose limits. [3]
State Senator James “Jimmy” Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, has been appointed to oversee cleanup operations at Fermi [4]. Carter’s experience in both politics and as a Navy nuclear engineer make him an excellent choice for this role. In 1953, Carter led a maintenance crew involved in the cleanup and repair of a damaged reactor at Chalk River Laboratories in Canada [4]. In 1962, Carter won a seat in the Georgia State Senate, overcoming a corrupt political boss. Earlier this year, he ran in the Democratic primary for the governor of Georgia, losing to the presumed governor-elect, Lester Maddox. [5]