Letter: Nevada should benefit from nuclear waste

Friday, Sept. 22, 2000 | 9:23 a.m.

The primary election has once again proven that Yucca Mountain isn't an issue the public can be fooled on.

The politicians continue to think Nevadans lack common sense and intelligence.

State Sen. Joe Neal's election wasn't based on Yucca Mountain, but he has been a consistent voice of reason on this issue.

In rural Nevada, where anti-nuclear factions have tried to run their candidate with an anti-nuclear strategy, they have failed miserably every time.

I wish our politicians and state leaders would stop all of their phony grandstanding. Yucca Mountain is a $50 billion project located on land already contaminated by almost 1,000 nuclear weapon tests.

All of the science to date indicates the site will eventually be found suitable. We need to send a message this election to the politicians to quit playing political games that are costly to Nevada.

It's time our state leaders develop a rational approach in dealing with Yucca Mountain.

First and foremost we need to protect our health and safety. Then there may be opportunities to bring some equity to the equation on behalf of Nevada.

If we are called on to help the country solve this environmental challenge, whether we like it or not, we should get something out of it.

BILL VASCONI