Karen Handel: “I thank my colleague from Illinois, Representative Shimkus, for his steadfast leadership on this very important issue. I…”

“I thank my colleague from Illinois, Representative Shimkus, for his steadfast leadership on this very important issue. I rise today, as well, to lend my support to H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018. Mr. Chairman, America lacks the necessary geological repository for important nuclear power resources. Because of this, spent nuclear fuel currently sits idle in over 100 communities across 39 States. This deficiency has cost electricity ratepayers over $40 billion with little to nothing to show for the exorbitant cost. H.R. 3053 makes long overdue reforms to the Nuclear Waste Fund and facilitates the formal licensing process for the repository at Yucca Mountain. It provides a commonsense, bipartisan interim solution for the safe storage of nuclear waste. Most importantly, H.R. 3053 ensures that this safe, efficient form of energy can continue to expand and be utilized in the United States, such as Georgia's Plant Vogtle. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3053 is much-needed legislation that will finally ensure the safe disposal of nuclear waste in this country. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.”