Politics:

Late attempt to revive Yucca Mountain plan falls short

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 | 2:41 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- A last-minute attempt to keep the Yucca Mountain project alive suffered a blow today when the House approved a greatly reduced budget appropriation that excludes a provision to continue studying the site for a possible nuclear waste dump.

The final bill deletes language that had been inserted in an earlier version of the legislation that would have required the president’s commission studying alternatives to Yucca Mountain to keep the Nevada site in the mix.

The bill allows $197 million for Yucca Mountain for fiscal 2010, a severe cut from previous years as had been expected under President Barack Obama's proposed budget. The funds allow the project to continue its review before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced this summer that Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget will zero out Yucca Mountain for good.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

“Nevadans have been fighting to bury Yucca Mountain for decades and this budget is a knife in the heart of this threat to our families and the Valley’s economy,” said Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley.

Democratic Rep. Dina Titus said the bill’s passage “represents a critical step in our fight to put an end to Yucca Mountain and ensure that Nevada does not become a nuclear waste dumping ground.”

The demise of the long-envisioned federal dump at Yucca Mountain, north of Las Vegas, comes as officials in White Pine County are looking into the possibility of developing a nuclear power plant in their area, according to the Ely Times.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By Birdiedreamin

10/1/09 at 3:15 p.m.

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atta boy harry...
vegas loves you baby...
listen up boys and girls...
you either support harry reid...
or...
you support importing the most toxic crap known to man which will make our children glow in the dark...
period...
end of story!!!
By lcdrmandingonamvet

10/1/09 at 6:41 p.m.

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We should build a nuclear waste dump in SLC, Planet Eutaw.
By davelv

10/1/09 at 7:58 p.m.

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You misread the legislation. It states that "Blue Ribbon Commission to consider all alternatives for nuclear waste disposal" whereas Reid wanted the words that stated that Yucca Mountain could not be considered. The words "all alternatives" implicitly includes Yucca Mountain. Further, while you are gloating, consider that without a nuclear waste repository planned it is entirely possible that lawsuits will force all existing nuclear power plants to shut down as well as prevent any new ones from being built. The NRC's waste confidence rule as enforced by the courts requires that a real solution is available, not the promise that one will be someday available. Based on Obama's statement that he will cease Yucca Mountain is proof that it is unlikely that there will ever be a place to store nuclear waste since even after 30 years all it takes is one politician to stop the nation's plan.

Las Vegas and Reno will be empty of tourists since our visitors will be worried about the lack of electricity due to Nevada's shortsighted, selfish and politically driven moves. Gambling only exists with cheap energy, otherwise people can't travel to Nevada nor have money to spend.
By mywallet700

10/2/09 at 7:19 a.m.

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What a load of crap. Cleanface Reid said his pal Obama would "zero out" Yucca Mountain's budget before the last election, then again in 2009, then again in 2010, then again in the 2011 budget. ALL LIES!!! Cleanface Reid does NOTHING for Nevada AGAIN and the lapdogs in the media just go along! Nice job LV Sun. By the way... when does $200 million= ZERO? When you ask Reid's parrot, Shelly B! Bezerkly says this is a "knife to the heart" of Yucca Mountain. It' still funded for $200-million! No wonder Nevada always loses on this issue. We have LOSERS representing us!!!
By oldladyplayspiano

10/2/09 at 11:20 a.m.

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Two hundred million dollars is zero? Hmmm, then send that 'zero' to me!

Penberthy Electromelt had the solution for radiation waste back in 1980 (the company was located in Seattle, WA). Leonard Penberthy demonstrated the technique; I worked for him as his assistant.

Penberthy got tons of money every year from the government to 'continue with the refinement' of the method; however, it was all about politics and it still is.

Nevertheless, someone is going to benefit from the $200,000,000 and I'm wondering what will be 'accomplished' (or wasted) with that rather large sum of money.

Talk about toxic waste - this is a classic example of it!
By spook6

10/10/09 at 11:41 a.m.

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From the article, "Democratic Rep. Dina Titus said the bill's passage "represents a critical step in our fight to put an end to Yucca Mountain and ensure that Nevada does not become a nuclear waste dumping ground."
What the Rep. doesn't realize is that scores of nuclear weapons were tested at the Nevada Test Site between 1945-1990 in the general area of Yucca Mountain. Federal Gov programs have pumped billions of dollars into the Nevada economy over the last 60 years but I don't hear their leardership complaining about these revenues.