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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has warned the Department of Energy she expects South Carolina to collect a $1 million daily fine for the agency's failure to meet a Jan. 1 nuclear fuel deadline.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Haley told Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz that South Carolina "will almost certainly be forced" to sue if his agency doesn't start making payments.
The Savannah River Site's mixed-oxide project — known as MOX — is intended to turn weapons-grade plutonium into commercial nuclear reactor fuel. But it's years behind schedule.
Since MOX isn't operating, by law the federal government is supposed to remove 1 metric ton of plutonium from South Carolina by Jan. 1.
The federal agency says it's working to meet its commitment.
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