Berkley to discuss Yucca in national radio address

Thursday, May 2, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., will outline flaws in the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project during a national radio address Saturday.

Berkley was tapped by the House Democratic leadership Wednesday night to deliver the Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address. The Democrats use the five-minute address to promote issues on their agenda, and leaders are allowing Berkley to use the time to explain the state's opposition to the Yucca project.

A draft of the address was being finalized today. Berkley plans to explain the nation's nuclear waste problem and outline why Yucca Mountain is not a good solution, Berkley spokesman Michael O'Donovan said. She will tell listeners that even if Yucca Mountain becomes a waste repository, waste will continue to pile up at reactor sites nationwide as long as power plants continue to operate.

Berkley also plans to argue that shipping waste from sites around the nation would be dangerous and that the site is not scientifically sound.

Berkley will tape the message today or Friday, O'Donovan said. This will be Berkley's second national radio address. Democratic leaders chose her to speak about the party's plans to stimulate the economy in November.

The Berkley address will be available after Saturday on Berkley's website: www.house.gov/berkley.