Ed Markey: “this recommittal motion is the amendment the nuclear industry does not want Members to vote on, which is why the…”

“this recommittal motion is the amendment the nuclear industry does not want Members to vote on, which is why the Committee on Rules did not put it in order. The reason that the nuclear industry does not want us to vote on this amendment is that, as opposed to Nevada getting all the waste, or the nuclear site having the waste taken from it, this amendment deals with the transportation of the waste through Members' districts and what the liability is of the trucking company, of the rail company that has responsibility for this material. Throughout the entire night last night we heard that an accident cannot happen, that these cannisters are so strong, and if a train hit the cannister, the train would be hurt. We were told that the Governor does not have to certify that transport is safe. We were told that the mayors and the local selectmen do not even have to have a role in public health or safety. But, buried in this bill is a total indemnification against liability of the trucking or the rail company if an accident occurs in Members' districts. Mr. Speaker, 43 States are going to have these materials riding through them. What happens if the trucking company engages in gross misconduct, if the trucking company engages in gross negligence? They are still not liable. Mr. Speaker, if the truck driver is on antidepressants, is drunk, is driving 80 miles an hour, careens into our community with this nuclear material, the company is not liable.”