Political Quotes

“I would like to give my friend from Pennsylvania the comfort that suggests we are the parties in making a determination of safety. We certainly have the obligation of oversight. But the appropriate agencies that have this responsibility are the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Transportation. They have the obligation to address, if you will, transportation procedures, safety, routing, the manner in which casks are stored and safeguarded. It is fair to say that the National Academy of Sciences is a participant in the process as well. What we have is the very best science, engineering, and technology to address the legitimate concerns of the Senator from Pennsylvania. I personally believe they have the expertise, the experience, and have certainly a record that suggests there has not been an accident. It does not mean there couldn't be, but all the necessary precautions within reason have been taken. Of course, in comfort to the Senator from Pennsylvania, again, we have legitimate oversight of the agencies I have named and will continue to have and maintain that which I would hope would be sufficient to meet the concerns of the Senator from Pennsylvania.”