Goodman fires away at nuke dump proponents

Erin Neff

Friday, June 2, 2000 | 11:25 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman isn't exactly known for his political correctness.

So he didn't back off one bit Thursday when reporters peppered him with questions about remarks he made last week regarding potential nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain.

Instead, Goodman forged ahead bluntly, blasting away at U.S. Sens. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, and John McCain, R-Ariz., labeling certain lawmakers as the "bastards" in Washington.

Last week Goodman told the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition that "if in fact it is going to be there, we can get a lot of dollars from the federal government."

Some thought the remarks conceded victory to those who support a federal Department of Energy plan to store high-level nuclear waste in the mountain 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Others thought it would give proponents such as Murkowski the idea that Nevada was not unified in its efforts to fight waste.

When asked what he would say to Murkowski if he met him in person, Goodman said, "I'd ask him if the salmon are hopping."

Beyond Alaskan streams, halibut and fish stories, Goodman added, "I'd tell him to keep his nose out of our business.

"Just like I tell John McCain to keep his nose out of our business."

Goodman is fond of calling McCain a "bum" because of the senator's support of legislation that would ban betting on college sports.

"But I have an asterisk next to Mr. McCain because he is an American hero," Goodman added.

The Nevada Republican Party last week stated its opposition to nuclear waste storage, but added that if a repository is approved at Yucca, fees should be paid to Nye County.

Goodman said he did not want to begin negotiating with the federal government before a decision is made about where to store the waste. But, if the decision is made, Goodman said he wanted as much as Nevada could get.

"Let's put it this way," he said. "The moon."

Goodman showed off a picture of himself planting the city's flag on Yucca Mountain during a tour he took there in January. Since that visit, Goodman has been one of the region's most vocal opponents to storing waste at Yucca Mountain.

On Thursday he flashed a city badge and said he wants to begin stopping trucks transporting low-level nuclear waste through the city limits.

An ordinance passed earlier this year prohibits transportation of high-level nuclear waste through the city. But some question its constitutionality.

"I haven't had the opportunity to have it challenged," Goodman said.

He said he has instructed his staff to find out when and where trucks transporting nuclear waste come through his city.

Goodman, a criminal defense attorney by trade, wants to confiscate the truck and litigate any challenges to the city's law himself.

"They'll see a mayor who'll stand in their way," Goodman said. "I'm worried about the future of the community. I'll do everything in my power to stop this stuff from coming through here."