WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jon Porter (R-NV) testified before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality in opposition to House legislation which would remove the Yucca Mountain Project from Congress’ budgetary authority and eliminate any congressional oversight of the Project for future Congresses.
 
“With all the problems that have plagued the Yucca Mountain Project since its inception and the hundreds of scientific questions still left unanswered, why would we ever give such a budgetary gimmick consideration?  This is an abdication of Congressional responsibility.  Now more than ever, this project, the federal agencies involved, and the people of Nevada need the strong support of Congressional authority and oversight,” said Rep. Porter.  “Our constituents have instilled their faith in each of us to make tough decisions to protect not only their interests and tax dollars, but their health and safety as well.”
 
“Shipping 77,000 tons of the most dangerous substance known to man around the country, and putting it on trucks, trains and barges, and moving it through cities, towns and waterways across America is a dangerous scheme.  As Southern Nevada continues record breaking growth, Yucca Mountain is becoming more of a threat to the health and safety of Nevadans as well as the millions of Americans, with every day that it is being considered as our nation’s nuclear waste repository.  The Yucca Mountain project will directly impact 44 states and many major metropolitan areas, including Chicago, Toledo, Los Angeles, Dallas, Pittsburg, and Denver, as millions of shipments of high-level nuclear waste is trucked, shipped, and then sent by train through these areas,” added Rep. Porter.”

# # #