Nuke panel urges lawmakers to veto Yucca rulings

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000 | 9:58 a.m.

The federal Department of Energy isn't expected to recommend the mountain as the nation's permanent tomb for 77,000 tons of highly radioactive waste until summer, when the state Legislature will be out of session.

The resolution from lawmakers would set the stage for Gov. Kenny Guinn to veto a nuclear dump at Yucca Mountain if and when the DOE recommends the site.

The commission met Friday in Las Vegas and outlined its recommendations on the proposed Yucca Mountain dump, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, in preparation for a written report to lawmakers. The Legislature convenes in early February and adjourns in early June.

By law, the state chosen as the site of the high-level waste dump may object to the DOE and the president. Agency for Nuclear Projects Director Bob Loux said it would take an act of Congress to overcome the state's veto.

The commission, headed by former Attorney General Brian McKay, also is interested in funding a national advertising campaign against shipping spent nuclear fuel to Yucca.

The panel decided to ask the governor and the Legislature for suggestions on raising funds through private and public means to support an ad campaign.

The commission also encouraged continued funding through state and federal sources for ongoing independent scientific studies by the Agency for Nuclear Projects.

The commission also urged the Legislature and the governor to reject any efforts at negotiating benefits for the state in return for accepting the nuclear dump.