S. Carolina Orders Police To Stop Plutonium

June 15, 2002

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) -- South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges declared an emergency Friday and ordered police to block federal plutonium shipments from entering the state.

The federal Energy Department is scheduled to ship the plutonium from the Rocky Flats weapons plant in Colorado -- which is being closed -- to South Carolina's Savannah River nuclear weapons complex, where it would be used as fuel for a nuclear power plant.

Trucks carrying shipments of the deadly radioactive material could begin arriving at the state line as soon as this weekend.

"As governor, when I believe danger exists to our state, I am empowered to declare an emergency and to take measures to maintain peace and safety in South Carolina," Hodges said.

"For these reasons, I have today issued an executive order that an emergency exists in South Carolina. I order that the transportation of plutonium on South Carolina roads and highways be prohibited."

Hodges refused to say how he would block the shipments.

A federal judge has refused the state's request to block the plutonium shipments. Hodges has appealed the ruling and asked for a delay until an appeals court can hear the case.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/06/15/sc.plutonium/index.html