Guest column — Stephen J. Cloobeck: Southern Nevadans must resist nuclear waste

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001 | 10:33 a.m.

Stephen J. Cloobeck, who is president of Diamond Resorts International, is organizing a valley-wide campaign against the Yucca Mountain Project.

We are all blessed to live in Southern Nevada. We enjoy a living standard and a business environment that are the envy of the rest of the nation. Many visionary leaders, past and present, have worked very hard to create today's Las Vegas, the most unique and exciting vacation resort destination the world has ever seen. We have all benefited from this "miracle in the desert," and we should all be proud to call it home.

Yet it could all become a whimsical memory if we allow the federal government to make our home a nuclear dump. Just listen to these facts: The federal government wants us to allow high-level nuclear waste to travel through our main traffic routes, U.S. 95 and Interstate 15. You may be sitting next to a truck filled with deadly nuclear radiation while stuck in traffic, as we all are from time to time. And what if one of those trucks is involved in a traffic accident? Proponents will tell you that it's all fine and safe, but I don't buy it.

Think about it. Nuclear waste right here in our back yard. Real estate values, instead of rising, would plummet by 50 percent. Or perhaps you'll be one of the unlucky ones who can never sell your home, period. If there is an accident, which there most probably will be, will your homeowner's insurance cover your damage? No! It is excluded on your homeowner's and business policies. Would the county step in to help? Nope. It doesn't have adequate insurance either, and would face bankruptcy if it had to pay. And who would clean up this mess? The nearest response team is in California!

Most importantly, think about our children. Our innocent children who trust us and our government to do the right thing. Imagine them playing at their school or their favorite playground and, a couple times a week or a month, being subjected to radiation from the "canisters" that the government does not even have a prototype of.

And how do we continue to attract those millions of tourists who are the lifeblood of our great economy? Not by exposing them to nuclear radiation ... that's for sure!

These are just some of the issues that citizens of this community should be thinking about. I urge you to become informed. Get active. Get involved. Join the fight. Sound your voice in disgust, and protect this fine community and world-class vacation resort town that we call home.

It is, perhaps, the most important thing you can do for yourself, your family and your community.