Light banter fills room at latest Yucca hearing

Friday, July 21, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Playfulness and good cheer aren't moods commonly associated with the words "Yucca Mountain."

But there are exceptions. This week, certain lawmakers on Capitol Hill were brimming with hope as they spoke with the enthusiastic new director of the planned nuclear waste burial site at Yucca Mountain. Edward Sproat is a turnaround expert from the private sector, a can-do guy determined to breathe new life into the project 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Sproat told members of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that he intended to have it open by 2017.

"I'm going to try to be around to hold you to 2017," said Rep. Ralph M. Hall, a Texas Republican who celebrated his 83rd birthday last month. In a nod to his own optimism, Hall added: "George Burns said he didn't buy green bananas."

"I'm frustrated by the lack of progress at Yucca, but I'm not giving up," said Rep. Joe Barton, also a Texas Republican. Barton had served in the White House when the plan was unveiled in 1982. "It's only going to be 19 years late."

The committee's ranking Democrat, Rep. John D. Dingell of Michigan, gave a resounding welcome to Sproat.

"This long-delayed program can be put on a sound footing," Dingell said, before asking whether Sproat's call for still more studies would slow down the project.

"I won't let it," came the reply.

"Then let us pray," Dingell said.

As the hearing wound down, Republican Rep. Charlie Norwood of Georgia asked Sproat how he feels about the whole thing.

"I took this job because I have a strong opinion about its need for the country," the former nuclear industry executive said.

"I can't remember how many hearings we've had where the directors sat there and assured us of this and that and nothing's happened," said Norwood, who then issued a caution:

"You've got bureaucrats around every corner, digging a hole, hoping you'll fall in it."