Gibbons praises Clinton’s courage in opposing nuclear industry

Scott Sonner

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 11:45 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - A Nevada Republican frequently at odds with President Clinton is praising him for his "bold and courageous" opposition to the nuclear power industry.

Rep. Jim Gibbons voted for Clinton's impeachment in December 1998 and has been a consistent conservative critic on issues from the environment to the military.

Last week, Gibbons issued a statement accusing the president of being "asleep at the wheel" in failing to better anticipate strains on world oil supplies.

But this week the Republican former combat pilot and the Democratic commander in chief see eye-to-eye on a political issue crucial to Nevada - opposition to a bill to ship nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain north of Las Vegas.

Clinton promised to veto the bill before it won congressional approval.

"The nuclear power industry has created the most deadly toxic waste known to mankind and is now looking for a taxpayer buyout," Gibbons said in a letter to Clinton on Tuesday.

"On behalf of the people of Nevada, I urge you to maintain your commitment to veto this bill," he wrote.

"Thank you for taking this bold and courageous stand against the nuclear power industry and for the American people.

"I welcome any help that you can provide on this very important issue. If I can be of any help to you, please feel free to contact me," Gibbons wrote.

Nevada's congressional delegation - Gibbons and Democrats Rep. Shelley Berkley and Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan - has been united in opposition to proposals to ship high-level radioactive waste from across the country to Yucca Mountain north of Las Vegas.

The bill on the way to Clinton's desk passed the Senate and House by margins less than the two-thirds needed to override a veto.

"Nevada's fate is now in the president's hands," Gibbons said in a statement from Washington.

Clinton's veto threat was a great help in the Nevada delegation's efforts to round up enough votes to deny a two-thirds majority, Gibbons said.

"Our united delegation has succeeded in preventing a presidential veto override in Congress. Now, it is up to President Clinton to follow through on his promise to veto this awful legislation," he said.