Sam Gibbons: “yesterday in the Washington Post John W. Bartlett, an engineer who headed the Yucca Mountain project for the DOE from…”

“yesterday in the Washington Post John W. Bartlett, an engineer who headed the Yucca Mountain project for the DOE from 1990 to 1993 stated: ``The rock formations were found to be far inferior to that originally expected in terms of preventing contamination.'' Mr. Bartlett is not the only former DOE official opposed to Yucca Mountain. Kenneth Davis, Energy Under Secretary from 1981 to 1983, has also said that Yucca Mountain as a waste repository is not reasonable in his view and should be put in mothballs. Former senior DOE geologist Jerry Szymanski has found that an earthquake could dramatically elevate the water table, potentially flooding the repository. The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board and the GAO have also said that the DOE's science is weak to moderate and that recommendation is not prudent or practical. Mr. Speaker, it disturbs me to think that the Energy Secretary is willfully ignoring the concerns of his own experts. Unless the DOE stops the Yucca Mountain project when it comes time, and Mr. Abraham is quoted saying that Yucca Mountain was a mistake, it will be too late for the American people.”