CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/David Felipe
(202)463-5682/888-249-NEWS

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

U.S. Chamber Pushes for Congressional Approval of Yucca Mountain;  Nev. Governor's Veto Brings Debate to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States Chamber of Commerce, following yesterday’s veto of President Bush’s site recommendation by Nevada governor Kenny Guinn, today urged lawmakers to move quickly to approve Yucca Mountain as a permanent nuclear waste facility.        

“After 20 years of debate, science has shown that Yucca Mountain can adequately provide safe storage of this country’s nuclear waste and still pose no threat to nearby population centers,” said Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber executive vice president for government affairs.  “Current facilities were never designed for long-term storage, and it is now time for Congress to give the American public a return on their investment.”           

Site suitability tests for Yucca Mountain have come at a cost of nearly $4 billion to American taxpayers, according to the Chamber.  Years of geological and water tests, and six miles worth of drilling in the site have shown it to be extremely secure and a superior alternative to the current 131 above-ground facilities in 38 states. 

The Yucca repository, which would sit 800 feet below the surface of the desert in Nevada, has also met or exceeded EPA standards tests for volcanic activity, earthquakes, radiation leaks and water corrosion.  The mountain sits 90 miles from Las Vegas under federally restricted airspace, making it the safest option for waste.

“Nuclear power provides 20% of the country’s electricity and is essential to our armed forces as well,” said Josten.  “If nuclear is to be an integral component of an effective energy plan for the future, Yucca Mountain must be approved and utilized.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

###

02-64