Yucca e-mails called damning

Suzanne Struglinski

Friday, April 1, 2005 | 2:39 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., called e-mails on the alleged falsified information on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump "damning" but would not discuss details to avoid compromising ongoing criminal investigations.

Porter complained today the Energy and Interior departments have not cooperated in giving his House subcommittee redacted documents so the public could access some information on the most recent Yucca controversy.

"My goal was to not interfere with the criminal investigation," Porter said. "They have not complied with my request so we are doing it ourselves."

The Energy Department announced its discovery of potential falsified documents on the Yucca Mountain project March 16, based on e-mails written between 1998 and 2000 by a U.S. Geological Survey employee.

Porter said the documents indicate a "very serious breach of trust" but would not comment on specific details.

The FBI and the inspector generals of both department are investigating the situation.

The House Federal Workforce and Agency Organization subcommittee, chaired by Porter, received a set of unredacted e-mails documents this week, which Porter reviewed Thursday night.

Redacted document were supposed to be made available at 9 a.m. PST today, but were delayed because Porter's subcommittee attorney had to redact documents themselves.

Porter said he is prepare to subpoena any additional document either department does not turn over. There is some overlap between the two departments' documents but each mainly has different information related to the alleged falsification.

"Our first priority is the public," Porter said. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes for the public to have access to this information."

He said the redacted documents would contain useful information.

Porter will hear from both departments' inspector generals at a hearing Tuesday as well as Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, Attorney General Brian Sandoval and other state officials.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who will also testify Tuesday, called on the Energy Department to stop its work on the project's license application as the investigations take place.

Meanwhile, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has postponed its hearing focusing on the status of the Yucca project until further notice. Committee spokeswoman Angela Harper said the committee already had a full schedule for the week with a conference on water challenges and moving forward with the Energy Bill. A House panel will begin marking up its version of the bill next week.