Letter: State leaders are unprepared for the inevitable

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 | 9:26 a.m.

I am excited to see that at last someone is actually out there fighting for Nevada's interests, and not for his own political gain.

I'm referring to former Nevada Gov. Bob List and his announcement that he will begin working to promote benefits for Nevada in exchange for nuclear waste disposal at Yucca Mountain.

Just months from now, the Department of Energy will recommend Yucca Mountain to Congress as the nation's solution to the high-level nuclear waste issue. Scientists at Yucca have been telling Congress for years that the site is a great fit and the new administration seems to look upon Yucca as an important environmental program.

Despite all this, our Nevada elected officials continue to oppose any negotiation with the Department of Energy over Yucca Mountain. Now we are less than a year from a congressional mandate and the state is completely unprepared for what is inevitably coming.

I, like List, have no political agenda. I have the freedom to speak out for what I feel is right.

I look forward to seeing what the ex-governor proposes because I know that he will help the people of Nevada get the benefits from this program that they deserve.

BROOKE DORE