Sam Gibbons: “What will a temporary nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, NV, mean to private property owners in some districts?…”

“What will a temporary nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, NV, mean to private property owners in some districts? It will mean large Government payoffs because the transportation of this radioactive waste will devalue their property. The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that Mr. John Komis of Santa Fe be awarded more than $884,000 resulting from devaluation damage to his land due to the transportation of radioactive waste past his property. If H.R. 1270 passes, almost 80,000 tons of nuclear waste will be transported across this country, devaluing property along the way. And who will pay for this devaluation in private property? Of course, the American taxpayer. They will foot the bill to support a radical and extremely costly policy mandated upon them by Congress. It is time Members pay attention to this debate and represent the constituency that elected them to protect their property and their rights. Madam Speaker, this is a bill that America cannot afford.”