In brief: Feds challenge penalty over nuclear waste site
CARLSBAD, N.M. – The U.S. Department of Energy is contesting more than $54 million in fines, the largest penalty levied by New Mexico for numerous violations that resulted in the indefinite closure of the nation’s only underground nuclear waste repository.
The Energy Department and the contractors paid to operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and Los Alamos National Laboratory said Friday that they want a hearing on the matter, according to a statement.
Federal officials described the penalty as “capricious” and want it to be either reduced or forgiven. But the Energy Department also expressed a desire for more hearings about how to address operational issues at both facilities.
The state Environment Department delivered a pair of compliance orders to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on Dec. 6. In the orders, the state alleges more than 30 violations took place at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southeastern New Mexico and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
On. Feb. 5, a truck hauling salt at the nuclear dump caught fire. Nine days later, a canister of waste from Los Alamos leaked in one of the nuclear dump’s storage rooms. More than 20 workers were contaminated, and the facility was forced to close, putting in jeopardy efforts around the nation to clean up tons of Cold War-era waste.
Yosemite free-climber clears difficult segment
SAN FRANCISCO – Hands torn and bleeding, the second of two men attempting a grueling climb up a half-mile of sheer granite in California’s Yosemite National Park cleared one of the ascent’s most difficult stretches after days of failed attempts and waiting.
Growing crowds of onlookers at the foot of the Dawn Wall at Yosemite’s El Capitan peak broke into cheers – and some tears – Friday when Kevin Jorgeson finally grasped a razor-sharp hold that had eluded him, clipped an anchor to secure himself, then shouted in triumph, according to online accounts by colleagues at the scene.
“Pure joy,” Jorgeson wrote afterward on his Facebook page, next to a photograph showing his bloody, bandaged hands.
Jorgeson, 30, of Santa Rosa, California, and Tommy Caldwell, 36, of Colorado are two weeks into what is billed as the first free climb of the vertical Dawn Wall to reach the 3,000-foot summit of El Capitan. Free climb means the men are climbing without the aid of pegs, ropes or other gear to help them ascend, although they are using safety gear to guard against what could be deadly falls.
Friday’s climb keeps Jorgeson in the effort, after Caldwell moved several segments ahead of him. Caldwell is now 2,000 feet up, about 1,000 feet from finishing. Support crews have said they hope the two men will reach the top this week.
Zimmerman arrested for alleged assault
MIAMI – Florida authorities say George Zimmerman, whose acquittal of murdering an unarmed black teen sparked a national debate on race and self-defense laws, has been arrested for allegedly throwing a wine bottle at his girlfriend.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said the 31-year-old Zimmerman was arrested for aggravated assault at his home in Lake Mary about 10 p.m. Friday.
Zimmerman was released on a $5,000 bond Saturday afternoon. At a court appearance earlier Saturday, he was ordered to avoid contact with the woman, who was not identified.
Judge John Galluzzo gave few details of the incident but said a wine bottle was involved and that the alleged assault happened at Zimmerman’s home. Prosecutors questioned whether substance abuse treatment was needed, but the judge said that didn’t seem to be a factor.
After the brief hearing, Zimmerman’s attorney, Don West, told the Orlando Sentinel his client was arrested after allegedly throwing a wine bottle “in the direction of” his girlfriend several days ago.