Greenspun, List debate Yucca

Monday, April 22, 2002 | 9:12 a.m.

President Bush's motives behind approving Yucca Mountain for a nuclear waste dump were questioned Sunday night during a televised debate between former Nevada Gov. Bob List, who now works for the nuclear industry, and Las Vegas Sun President and Editor Brian Greenspun.

The debate aired Sunday night on KVBC-TV Channel 3's "This Week in Las Vegas," hosted by former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones and John Daly.

Bush on Feb. 15 recommended Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, become a permanent dump for 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste. Gov. Kenny Guinn vetoed the choice, and now the decision lies in Congress.

"Why did George Bush lie to the people of Nevada?" Jones asked, referring to a campaign pledge that Bush would base his decision on sound scientific research.

"Because he wanted to become president," replied Greenspun, noting that former President Bill Clinton had vetoed legislation during his eight years in office that would have sent nuclear waste to Nevada sooner for temporary storage.

"That is an attack on his integrity," List responded, defending Bush. "He believed there was sound science. No honest president would have come to another conclusion."

Greenspun noted that a General Accounting Office report released in December found that 293 technical and scientific issues remain unresolved and that other independent scientists considered the DOE's case "weak to moderate."

At times the debate became a political dogfight.

Noting that many people had respected List's former service as governor, Greenspun said his work for the Nuclear Energy Institute, the lobbying arm of the nuclear industry, "is a far greater disservice than any service you did as governor."

"Why are you trying to soften us up?" Greenspun asked.

"I'm not trying to soften anybody up," List said.

List said he believed the Energy Department could build a safe repository after studying the area for 20 years. "I trust not only the Department of Energy, but the private contractors," he said.

"I don't trust the Department of Energy," Greenspun said. "They told us that nuclear testing was safe. I don't trust the private contractors. They cut every corner they can cut."

Transportation security, the cornerstone of the state's multimillion-dollar nationwide lobbying effort against Yucca Mountain, also drew a sharp volley between the two men.

"Isn't that (transporting wastes) dangerous and what does it do to a state that relies on tourism for its economy?" Jones asked.

List said that putting containers full of the waste underground at 1,000 feet -- the estimated depth of a proposed repository -- was safer than keeping it on the surface at 103 reactor sites.

"That's a recommendation that has been given by every security expert in this administration," List said.

"Any little terrorist with a hand-held missile can take a train or truck out," Greenspun said.

"That's not true," List shot back, responding that a repository could bring high-paying jobs to the community and diversify the economy.