Another Yucca advocate likely to replace Abraham

Benjamin Grove

Monday, Nov. 15, 2004 | 10:49 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The departure of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham likely would not herald changes in the Energy Department's Yucca Mountain project because President Bush is sure to appoint another Yucca advocate, observers said today after Abraham's resignation was announced.

The Energy Department has been studying Yucca Mountain for nearly two decades as it researched whether the site would be a suitable place to construct a repository for the nation's most radioactive waste.

Abraham will be remembered by opponents of the project as the energy secretary who ultimately approved it -- on Feb. 14, 2002, an unwelcome Valentine to Nevada, Yucca critics noted at the time. That led to President Bush formally approving Yucca a day later.

In his formal endorsement, Abraham told Bush that "sound science" proves that waste could be safely stored at Yucca. Abraham cited "compelling national interests" in backing Yucca, including national security and energy security.

"Secretary Abraham's tenure was an absolute disaster for the state of Nevada, but also for the nation," Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said, citing Yucca and soaring gas prices.

Before nominees can join the Cabinet, they need confirmation from the Senate.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who likely will be elected Senate Democratic leader on Tuesday, was unavailable for comment this morning.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., commended Abraham for his service, noting Abraham's support for counterterrorism training programs at the Nevada Test Site.

"Of course, I strongly disagree with his advocacy of the Yucca Mountain project and believe he gave the wrong advice to President Bush on that issue," Ensign said.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said he expects the next energy secretary to be in lockstep with Bush on Yucca, but added, "It is my hope that the individual is a forward-looing nominee who is open to alternative solutions to nuclear waste."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said, "I am confident that Yucca Mountain will be rigorously debated when confirmation hearings begin for the new nominee in the Senate."

The delay-plagued Yucca project's future is uncertain given court challenges, budget shortfalls and questions about radiation safety standards.

Still, Energy Department leaders have said they are determined to open Yucca, ideally by 2010.

The next step for the department is submitting an application for a license to construct the underground repository. Department officials have said they intend to submit the application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by year's end.

Early speculation on possible replacements for Abraham centers on Deputy Secretary Kyle McSlarrow, outgoing Sen. John Breaux, D-La., and Thomas Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute.

McSlarrow has been a vocal supporter for advancing Yucca and this year told Congress that it could overcome a legal setback dealt by a federal court over health standards. But he has also signaled that the department may not be able to meet its goal of submitting the license application by the end of December.

Kuhn has been an outspoken Yucca advocate as leader of a trade group that includes nuclear industry members.

Breaux met with President-elect Bush in December 2000 about taking the job, but declined. Breaux ultimately voted against Yucca Mountain under heavy lobbying pressure from Reid, although he is sympathetic to the nuclear industry.