Storage plan for spent nuclear fuel spurs New Mexico debate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Critics of a plan to temporarily store spent fuel from U.S. commercial nuclear reactors at a spot in New Mexico say the federal government needs to consider more alternatives before granting licenses for any private facilities. Dozens of people packed a meeting Monday night in Roswell as federal regulators took public comment on the proposal by Holtec International. It was the first of three meetings planned this week in New Mexico. The meetings come just days after a congressional subcommittee reviewed a spending plan centered in part on moving past the stalemate that has developed around what to do with the nation's nuclear waste. Holtec and a coalition of local leaders from southeastern New Mexico first announced plans three years ago to construct a below-ground space for temporarily housing spent fuel. The company is seeking an initial 40-year license.