Editorial: It’s no wonder why they’re getting antsy

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 4:19 a.m.

Last week a U.S. Chamber of Commerce business coalition stepped up its pressure on the Bush administration to make a decision on the Yucca Mountain Project. The group, fronting for the nuclear power industry, said that within 30 days Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham should recommend to President Bush that nuclear waste be stored in Nevada's Yucca Mountain.

In light of the events a week ago it's not surprising that the nuclear power industry and its friends in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would want a quick decision. After all, a draft report from the General Accounting Office said the Yucca Mountain Project should be delayed indefinitely due to the Energy Department's flawed scientific investigation. In more bad news, a law firm working for the Energy Department's Yucca Mountain Project canceled its contract with the department because of a conflict of interest: The Winston & Strawn law firm also had a lobbying contract with a nuclear power industry trade group.

Yes, we can see why supporters of a nuclear waste dump want the administration to act fast: They're afraid that the longer this drags out, even more damaging information will be revealed that could doom the dump's fate. If anything, the Bush administration should immediately stop the work at Yucca Mountain considering how badly this project has been bungled.

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