Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.
The House passed a compensation plan late Wednesday for former Cold War workers, including those at the Nevada Test Site, exposed to radiation, silica and beryllium.
The Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, was among 165 sites in 31 states where building or testing of nuclear weapons occurred. Nuclear weapons were exploded at the Test Site from 1951 to 1992. Other state sites include central Nevada and near Fallon.
The compensation package was worked out between lawmakers with sites in their states and House Republican leaders, who balked at a new entitlement program.
Nevada's delegation supported the measure. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she was pleased with the outcome. "This compromise doesn't offer everything that Nevada's Test Site workers deserve, but it's a good start," she said.
"I am pleased that the federal government will finally compensate the thousands of workers who sacrificed their lives and their health building and testing our nation's nuclear deterrent," Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said. He worked to ensure silicosis from dust particles was included.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the program will cost taxpayers about $1.9 billion over 10 years.
Workers or their families will get a $150,000 lump sum payment -- $50,000 more than ever proposed -- and medical benefits for life to employees who promise not to sue the government or contractors.
The Senate is expected to approve the legislation, and President Clinton is prepared to sign it.
About 600,000 people built the nuclear arsenal and up to 4,000 are expected to be eligible for compensation. About 100,000 people worked at the Test Site and about 800 could be eligible. Another 10,000 uranium miners could also be eligible.
Former worker Clifford Clayton of Las Vegas, who as a government clerk handled the solid metal beryllium, has waited for the news since Energy Secretary Bill Richardson admitted in April that workers had been exposed to dangerous materials and never warned about health effects.
"Great, wonderful," Clayton said when he learned of the approval. "I will continue to fight and support the effort."
Dorothy Clayton, who is unrelated to Clifford Clayton, watched her husband, Glen, suffer from cancers after recovering equipment and data from tunnels. He died June 5, 1999. Dorothy Clayton said she can document her husband's exposure.
For those who do not have such information, the government will have to create procedures.
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