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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2002

MAP: Tribes located near Yucca Mountain site. PDF: Sites where waste is currently stored.

The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan to store up to 77,000 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste on traditional Shoshone land in Nevada.

By a vote of 306 to 177, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers backed President Bush's endorsement of Yucca Mountain. Located about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, the site would accept waste currently housed at locations nationwide.

Many lawmakers support the project for that reason and believe it will help secure the nation's energy future. "For the sake of long-term public health and safety, and our national security interests, it is critically important that we move to develop Yucca Mountain," said Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, after the vote.

Opponents use a variant of the argument and charged that shipping the waste poses a great risk to terrorist attacks. "We will create thousands of weapons for terrorists," said Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) on the House floor.

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), the ranking member of the House Resources Committee, challenged the plan's scientific rationale. He also noted that the area is still claimed by Shoshone tribes under the Ruby Valley Treaty of 1863.

"Yet, in arrogance, and that is what it is, arrogance, this administration has determined that this particular sacred site is a pretty good place for a nuclear waste repository," he said. "That is desecration, plain and simple."

These and other arguments weren't enough to derail the Department of Energy project. A total of 203 Republicans, 102 Democrats and 1 independent rejected a veto by Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R), a power granted under the federal law which mandates a federal site.

Siding with Guinn and a broad coalition of state officials, politicians, residents and area tribes were 13 Republicans, 103 Democrats and 1 independent. All of Nevada's delegation oppose the repository.

The proposal now goes onto the Senate where it faces an uncertain future. Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) and Majority Whip Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) are trying to shore up opposition.

Relevant Links:
The Yucca Mountain Project, Department of Energy - http://www.ymp.gov
Nuclear Waste Project Office - http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste

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