Andrea Joy Campbell: “I rise today to speak on designating Yucca Mountain as the Nation's waste repository in the State of Nevada. But before…”

“I rise today to speak on designating Yucca Mountain as the Nation's waste repository in the State of Nevada. But before I start, I would like to get a few things clear. First, I don't oppose nuclear power. Nuclear power is an efficient and clean way to generate electricity. The obvious downside to nuclear power is that its waste is harmful to people. Yet, several States benefit from the relative clean power that nuclear plants generate. Clean air, clean water, and efficient power are significant benefits that some enjoy. My opposition to designating Yucca Mountain is deeply rooted in my strongly held belief in States' rights. I believe that States should determine their own destiny--when States elect or choose to benefit from a program or policy, then those States should correspondingly assume the costs, costs that might not only be monetary. My State of Colorado did not choose to build nuclear power plants. My State of Colorado did not choose to enjoy the benefits that nuclear power offers. Correspondingly, my State of Colorado never chose to assume the responsibility of storing nuclear waste and, therefore, we do not.”