R.A.C.E. Celebrates 'Victory of Science Over Fear'

Vows to Move Forward with Incinerator 

MEMPHIS, TN (10/17/05) -- In what was described as "a victory of science over fear," the Memphis City Council voted 12 - 1 to approve the two special use permits necessary for R.A.C.E., Radiological Assistance, Engineering and Consulting, LLC to continue processing low-level radioactive waste at a site in the city's heavy industrial park. Opponents, led by investors in R.A.C.E. competitors, had attempted to drive the firm out of business.

R.A.C.E. did agree to a three-year moratorium on applying for a permit to operate a small low-level radioactive waste incinerator at their Memphis location, but company officials said they plan to move forward with installing the incinerator at an alternative site in the region.

"A defeat would have shut us down and put 200 people out of work," said R.A.C.E. co-chairman Kate Harbin. "Fortunately, the council saw through the campaign of lies and distortions raised by our opponents. It was a victory of science over fear."

R.A.C.E. processes low-level radioactive waste, reducing it in volume for shipment to burial sites in other states. At any one time, R.A.C.E. has approximately 100 Curies (a Curie is a measure of radioactivity) split between its processing facility and storage facility. This is less than two-tenths of one percent of the 50,000 to 80,000 Curies of radioactive material present in Memphis according to an estimate by the Memphis BioWorks Development Council.

"Already I have received calls from three Chambers of Commerce interested helping us locate the incinerator in their community," said Bob Applebaum, co- chairman of R.A.C.E. "They recognize that we will bring good jobs and additional tax revenue, while operating safely. You only have to visit Oak Ridge, where two incinerators, much larger than the one we plan, play a role in Tennessee's most robust local economy."