PSU Magazine Spring 1987

PSU research probes basalt rockfor clues to the safety ofstoring nuclear waste at Washington's Hanford Nuclear Reservation. by Bob Mullin F or months the debate over whether the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington is a safe place to store nuclear waste has been stirring the emotions of nuclear officials, politicians and the public. On the one hand , Hanford insiders have a history of guarding the release of information about the safety of operations there. On the other hand, the political uproar that accompanied the selection of Hanford as a possible national nuclear dump site has seemed to obscure a reasonable search for scientific truth about the suitability of the site. In the midst of it all, in a laboratory in Room 45 of Cramer Hall , PSU geology professor Michael Cummings has been quietly but doggedly studying potential environmental effects should Hanford be chosen. His systematic investigation into the stability of basalt rock similar to that underlying Hanford seems anything but emotional. But, scientist though he may be, Cummings is angry. He does not like being cast as the heavy in the volatile debate that surrounds the issue. In a tone that belies the stereotypical image of an insensitive scientist toying with the fate of humanity, he explains: "I listen to these lists and lists of people who cry, 'Oh, how horrid. It should be stopped! It should be stop– ped!' I find the politics and the damna– tion we receive for trying to apply our expertise to this problem very demoralizing. I also think it is unjust." PSU MAGAZINE PAGE 6 Cummings emphasizes he is not pro-nuclear. "We are not sold out to the nuclear industry," he says. "We are simply attempting to understand what happens." In addition, he says, his decision to work on the problem of nuclear waste disposal was not an easy one. "You come to a point when yo u recognize that we have a significant societal problem. That waste exists whether I wish to deny its existence or not. Either I will attempt to seek solutions to the problem, and try to be responsible in doing that, or I will have to allow other people to do so." Obviously Cummings chose to participate. Since a decision has to be made on the suitability of Hanford as a nuclear waste dump site, he says, the best decision is an informed one. " If •