Discussions on Project Pele, a mobile nuclear reactor for the Department of Defense, continued yesterday between federal officials and local lawmakers.

Senators questioned Project Pele Program Manager Jeff Waksman on an array of things, including potential uses of a reactor on Guam, what the reactor is designed to withstand, including terrorist and missile attacks, potential impacts on the island people and environment, public engagement, and if the island has already been pre-selected to have a reactor.

Some legislators also shed light on the DOD’s history on Guam and the region.

Senator Joanne Brown said, “DOD does not have a very good history on Guam with regards to how it has handled disposal of what we would consider chemicals and other things that have not been so good to our environment historically since the war and all up into the 70s almost until the 1980s.”

And Senator Sabina Perez added, “I thought you were providing more objective information rather than a PR campaign to promote how safe nuclear waste is. Especially to our community, which has really experienced a lot of harm coming from nuclear power and nuclear weapons. I find that it is very arrogant. It’s arrogant that you’re here promoting this, considering our history.”

Meantime, Waksman is conducting a study for both the US Army and Congress. He reiterates there are no plans to bring a reactor to the island, however, if that decision is ultimately made, the NEPA process will need to be followed.