Richardson reiterates position on Nevada

Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 11:17 a.m.

A storm of protest by Nevada's congressional delegation over a Department of Energy comment that the Clinton administration may allow temporary nuclear waste storage in Nevada brought reassurances from the DOE chief.

Lake Barrett, acting chief of the DOE's civilian nuclear waste storage program, hinted in a report Thursday that President Clinton might not veto a proposal already introduced into the House to put high-level nuclear waste at the Nevada Test Site while federal studies continue at a proposed permanent site at Yucca Mountain.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., blasted Barrett for misstating Clinton's official position.

"I am once again dismayed at the continued efforts of some within the DOE to mischaracterize the administration position on nuclear waste and temporary storage," Bryan said.

"It has long been clear that there is an element of staff within the DOE who will do anything possible to benefit the nuclear waste industry, with little or no regard to conducting an effort based on concerns for the health and safety of the people of Nevada or anywhere else in the country."

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson was quick to point out that the Clinton administration has not changed its position on temporary nuclear waste storage in Nevada, which is against the law.

"As we've said at the time of releasing the viability assessment (a report card to Congress), there's nothing in the viability assessment that changes the administration's position on temporary storage," Richardson's top aide, Brooke Anderson, said. "The viability assessment does not change the president's position on temporary storage."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said he was reassured by Richardson that the president's veto on temporary storage remains intact. "I'm not the only one who was startled by Mr. Barrett's comments," Gibbons said. "Nevada's entire congressional delegation has worked together on this issue."