Letter: Yucca repository will not benefit local residents

Tuesday, March 12, 2002 | 8:51 a.m.

With Enron-related scandals spinning out of control, our unelected president quickly approved the politically motivated recommendation for the Yucca Mountain project last month.

Compensation for Nevada is lining the pockets of former Gov. Bob List's pockets. He is paid to promote the nuclear power industry's interests, not ours.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham received thousands of dollars in contributions from the nuclear power industry when he ran for senator from Michigan in 2000. Abraham accepted at least $9,500 from Enron; the Nuclear Energy Institute contributed $4,000, DTE Energy, $5,000, Exelon gave $2,000, Constellation $2,000, and FirstEnergy ponied up $2,000 for his failed bid.

The state of New Mexico accepted the Waste Isolation Pilot Project nuke waste dump based upon financial promises from the Department of Energy. What happened? Local residents weren't hired. Out of 800 jobs that were created, 75-80 percent went to out-of-state workers brought in by the contractor.

Unemployment has gone up since WIPP opened in 1999. Local businesses have moved away and new spin-off industries were not created. New Mexico has a court mandate to receive $57 million for highways and $20 million per year for 14 years, which have not been paid. Property values have declined significantly.

Neither homeowner's insurance nor health insurance covers radiological accidents. Check your policy! It will explicitly state that you will not be covered if your damage or illness is caused by a nuclear accident.

CELIA S. HECHT