Letter: Senator’s perspective worth listening to

Monday, March 15, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

Sen. Bill O'Donnell was the latest to be crucified. I think O'Donnell is right on target by saying money targeted for the State Agency of Nuclear Projects could be better spent elsewhere in the state. Audit after audit shows the state has mismanaged its oversight responsibilities related to the Department of Energy's study of Yucca Mountain. The state's role is not to oppose Yucca Mountain but to oversee the DOE's work at the site.

I think O'Donnell is correct that in the long run the state doesn't have a chance to stop Yucca Mountain, especially with its scientific oversight program. The state lacks credibility with the people overseeing the site and the state just doesn't have a sound scientific oversight program.

Come licensing time, what will the state have to bring to the table to oppose Yucca Mountain -- a theory that has already been put to rest by the independent National Academy of Sciences is all.

Gov. Kenny Guinn is a good person, don't get me wrong, but in regard to praising that nuclear waste summit a couple weeks ago, get a grip. What a nice political pow-wow that must have been in Carson City. It makes for some good press, pull-out quotes and sound bites but that's about all.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Has anyone noticed that our elected officials are no longer fighting to stop Yucca Mountain, but when the shipments will begin?

We have our share of summits in this great state, but in a few years it's likely that high-level waste could be transported to Yucca Mountain over those summits and the question is what will we get in return for helping the country solve this problem.

I wish to thank O'Donnell for speaking his mind and bringing some rational dialogue to the Yucca Mountain debate.

BILL VASCONI