Editorial: Negotiating for benefits a bad deal

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002 | 8:45 a.m.

Now that Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has recommended that President Bush approve the construction of a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, the whispers are starting again that the state should give up its opposition to the dump in return for money from the federal government. State Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, and a few union leaders periodically pop up to argue for negotiations with the federal government only to have an overwhelming number of the state's population and elected officials reject such entreaties. Negotiating for benefits is just as lousy today as it has been during the past decade when these arguments have been made.

Remember that the federal government reneged on many promises it made to New Mexico regarding the Waste Isolation Pilot Project, a radioactive waste disposal site opened in 1999 near Carlsbad, N.M. For example, the state of New Mexico was promised that it would receive $190 million for highway upgrades, but it only received $20 million. Besides, why should we trust the same federal government to keep its word that year after year has ignored all the scientific warnings that show how dangerous it is to ship and store 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste in Nevada?

To even talk about getting money from the federal government would be tantamount to throwing in the towel in the state's battle against the nuclear waste dump -- and there is no reason to give up. President Bush hasn't signed off on Abraham's recommendation yet. Even if he does, the state can use a veto, which both houses of Congress then would have to override by a majority vote. Granted, getting the support of the president or Congress is a long shot, but there still is a chance. If the state were to give an inch now, the supporters we have in Congress wouldn't stick their necks out for us if we're not willing ourselves to oppose the dump with every option available to us. Half-hearted opposition really is no opposition at all.

There are some fights that involve matters of principle and which can't be resolved through compromise. There is no price high enough that would allow us to sacrifice the safety of this state's residents and future generations.