Nuclear Industry
Applauds U.S. Senate for Strong Vote To End Political Gridlock
on Nuclear Waste Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
February 10, 2000—The U.S. Senate today
voted 64-34 in favor of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments
Act of 2000 (S.1287). The following is a statement by Joe F.
Colvin, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear
Energy Institute, in response to the Senate vote.
"The nuclear
energy industry is extremely pleased that the Senate has voted
overwhelmingly in favor of this important environmental
legislation. Senator Frank Murkowski and Majority Leader Trent
Lott in particular deserve thanks for achieving approval of
the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act. By providing for the
efficient management and safe isolation of used nuclear fuel,
S.1287 helps to make it possible for Americans to derive
maximum benefits from nuclear power - our nation’s largest
source of emission-free electricity.
"Environmental
stewardship requires more than rhetoric. It requires
real-world solutions to real-world challenges. With the
government repository program already 12 years behind
schedule, I applaud the 64 senators who today exhibited the
leadership needed to end political gridlock and move the
Department of Energy’s waste disposal program forward.
"Even in the
absence of White House leadership on this important
environmental issue, the drive to efficiently manage and
safely isolate used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive
waste from U.S. defense programs must continue. As the
legislative focus shifts to the House of Representatives, the
nuclear industry will continue to work cooperatively with
members of Congress to shape amendments to the Nuclear Waste
Policy Act that will keep the nuclear waste repository program
moving forward." |