SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown wrote a letter to multiple state and federal agencies opposing plans that could transport liquid radioactive waste through the city.
According to the City of Spokane, Brown wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Action and the State of Washington opposing plans that "could send millions of gallons of hazardous waste through the City of Spokane."
The City said hazardous waste would be shipped through Spokane from the Hanford Nuclear Site to Texas and Utah in liquid form.
"It is the mayor’s understanding that should an initial transport of 2,000 gallons be successful, these agencies plan to transport millions more gallons of hazardous liquid waste through Spokane by rail or truck," the City said in a press release sent to KREM 2 Wednesday afternoon.
The City said plans were made to send shipments through Spokane after Oregon expressed concerns about potential risks.
“I am extremely disappointed to learn that, following the expression of serious concerns by our friends from the State of Oregon and the [Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation], your agencies shifted your planned route to go through Spokane,” Brown wrote in the letter.
Brown also said the plans were made without an updated Environmental Impact Statement and without consultation with Spokane's Office of Emergency Management and first responders.
“Furthermore, the communities closest to the interstate and rail corridors in our city are ones that have already borne the weight of historic discrimination and disinvestment. The potential negative consequences of this plan would disproportionately impact some of our most marginalized communities,” Brown said. “On behalf of the citizens of Spokane, and in defense of our beautiful natural spaces and vibrant urban setting, I urge you to reconsider this decision.”