Senate Energy Committee Approves Yucca Mountain

WASHINGTON, DC, June 5, 2002 (ENS) - The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today narrowly approved the site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada for the development of a repository to entomb the nation's high-level nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.

By a vote of 13 to 10, the committee brushed aside the concerns of the state of Nevada, which has vetoed the proposal, and supported the Bush administration which wants the repository constructed. The committee vote sends the Yucca Mountain bill to the floor of the Democratically controlled Senate for its final legislative hurdle.

Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (Photo courtesy Office of the Senator)

Ranking Republican Senator Frank Murkowski of Alaska said, "Today's vote clears the way for the Senate to finally let the federal government keep a promise made to Americans more than a decade ago. After more than $4 billion and 24 years of scientific research, it's clear that Yucca Mountain is well suited to serve as our central repository."

Yucca Mountain, Nevada would contain 77,000 tons of radioactive materials deep underground. (Photo courtesy Yucca Mountain Project)

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham hailed the committee's support for his recommendation to the President that Yucca Mountain is scientifically suitable to hold the waste. "The Energy Committee's bipartisan vote is an important step toward enhancing our national security and environmental protections," Abraham said.

"The Senate must now decide whether to leave nuclear waste stranded at 131 sites in 39 states or allow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make the independent determination that Yucca Mountain is suitable to serve as a geological repository."

Even if the resolution to override Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn's veto passes the Senate, it may not be constructed.

Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, a Republican, is firmly opposed to Yucca Mountain. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

In addition, more than 300 technical conditions must be fulfilled before a license could be sought from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Actor Mike Farrell flew from California to Capitol Hill Tuesday tell lawmakers of his fear that the nulear waste cannot be transported safely, and that trucks and trains carrying it will be vulnerable to terrorist attacks and accidents. Farrell played BJ Hunnicut in M*A*S*H and now stars in the television drama Providence. He handed to Senators copies of an anti-Yucca Mountain letter signed by 50 people, including Farrell’s M*A*S*H co-star Jamie Farr and actor-producer Rob Reiner.

Cask for transporting high-level nuclear waste (Photo courtesy Energy Dept.)

A 30 second TV ad warns Utah residents about the risks associated with the waste transport from temporary storage sites across the country to Yucca Mountain. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the waste will travel through Utah by train or truck. The ad concludes by urging viewers to contact Republican Senators Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett of Utah, urging them to oppose the Yucca Mountain project.

“It is vitally important to educate people across the country about the inherent dangers of transporting nuclear waste through their communities,” said Bob Loux, executive director of the Nevada Nuclear Projects Agency. “We want everybody to understand that this is an issue of national significance, and is not just limited to Nevada.”

Find out more about the Yucca Mountain Project at: http://ww.ymp.gov