Sam Gibbons: “we need to address the energy crisis in our Nation; however, before this country can embrace increases in nuclear energy…”

“we need to address the energy crisis in our Nation; however, before this country can embrace increases in nuclear energy production, we need to solve the problem of what to do with the high level nuclear waste. Because burying it in Yucca Mountain, an area already rocked by earthquakes on a regular basis, is not the answer. Studies have shown that a repository site at Yucca Mountain is at least 10 times more prone to earthquakes and lava flows than government scientists previously estimated. Nevada ranks third in the Nation for earthquake activity, experiencing over 650 earthquakes in the last 20 years; that means with over 30 earthquakes a year alone in this area. Clearly, Yucca Mountain is one of the worst places to store the deadliest material ever created by man. Mr. Speaker, we need to find a solution to the energy crisis, but we need to base it on true science and not misinformation and conjecture. The DOE plans to buy nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain is not only misguided but immeasurably dangerous for all Americans.”