Sam Gibbons: “it is common knowledge that nuclear waste is one of the most dangerous and deadly substances known to man. Yet before us…”

“it is common knowledge that nuclear waste is one of the most dangerous and deadly substances known to man. Yet before us today is Senate bill 1287, a bill which calls for the transportation of this deadly material across 43 States, near your neighborhoods, past your homes and school yards. Overwhelming scientific evidence shows that transporting the unprecedented amount of nuclear waste as required in Senate bill 1287 endangers our environment and the lives of millions of Americans living across those 43 States. The Department of Energy estimates that a rail accident involving a shipment of nuclear waste would result in the radioactive contamination of a 42-square mile area. Mr. Speaker, a cleanup of this environmental disaster would cost the taxpayers $620 million and require 460 days just to complete, millions of dollars, hundreds of days spent cleaning up a catastrophe that we can prevent today by voting no on Senate bill 1287. Protect the lives of your constituents and our precious environment. Vote no on Senate bill 1287.”