Heller Statement On Nuclear Waste Policy Act Clearing House Subcommittee

As posted at the website of U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (Republican from Nevada):

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) released the below statement after the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, legislation proposed by Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) that designates Yucca Mountain as the country’s nuclear waste repository.

“When I testified before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, I made it clear that Yucca Mountain is dead,” said Heller. “Not only has the federal government already wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on the failed project, Nevada has never signaled it would consent to it and instead has committed to fighting it every step of the way. I will continue to lead the fight in Congress to see that Nevada doesn’t turn into the nation’s nuclear waste dump, and I urge my colleagues to work with me toward a viable solution to our nuclear waste problem.”

In April, Heller appeared before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment during a hearing on the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. In his testimony, Heller encouraged the consideration of his Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act, legislation that permits the construction of a nuclear waste repository only if the Secretary of Energy receives written consent from the governor of the host state, affected local officials, and affected Indian tribes.