Nevadans in Congress hopeful about nuclear plan

Mark D. Preston

Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999 | 11:41 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Members of the Nevada congressional delegation appeared optimistic today about the Department of Energy's proposal to manage nuclear waste at the power plants where it is now stored until a permanent repository for the spent fuel is found.

"While the war against nuclear waste isn't over yet, it appears that this proposal could end our most current and deadly battle," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., drafted a letter to her House colleagues asking them to support the DOE's plan. "For the first time the Department of Energy is proposing a sensible, cost-effective solution to the nuclear waste storage problem," Berkley said.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the proposal. "On the surface it looks very good for Nevada," he said.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said he was encouraged by the proposal and receptive to any idea that "derails the nuclear express that was heading for Nevada."

"All along, I have been encouraging Secretary Richardson and the DOE to look at other options, and I am encouraged they are listening," Bryan said.

"The mere fact that the DOE is now looking at other options clearly illustrates the serious problems associated with the ill-advised and dangerous interim storage proposal for the Nevada Test Site."