Political Quotes

“I wish you a good morning. I ask you to imagine the following situation: You are stricken with bone cancer. Unfortunately, your doctor informs you that radiation therapy is no longer an option because it creates low-level radioactive waste and they simply cannot store any more. Or another one: A loved one tests HIV positive. Sadly, we learn that breakthrough research using radioactive materials to find a cure for AIDS is being suspended. Why? Because we cannot store any more waste. Finally, imagine this: You are the parent of a student at the University of California. You're informed that a fire occurred in a radioactive storage waste building on campus and exposed your son or daughter to radiation released by the fire. These are not farfetched situations, Mr. President. In fact, radioactive waste is piling up on college campuses, hospitals, and businesses at some 800 sites in California alone. This chart tries to depict the distribution of low-level radioactive waste that is stored today in California. The current situation shows that it is virtually all over--in the bay area, the Sacramento area, southern California, Los Angeles, San Diego, and so forth. There are 2,254 material licensees who store waste at some 800 sites in populated areas, endangered by the threat of fires, earthquakes, and floods. It is an extraordinary expense and duplication of effort.…”