Wayne Allard: “I rise in support of the cloture vote on S. 104. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 is a crucial piece of legislation…”

“I rise in support of the cloture vote on S. 104. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 is a crucial piece of legislation that deserves the support of both sides of Capitol Hill and the administration. It is responsible legislation, necessary legislation, and legislation that when enacted will provide the utmost safety for our constituents. S. 104 provides for the safe transport of nuclear waste from numerous sites around the Nation to one safe, central location in Yucca Mountain. The Department of Energy must, by November 30, 1998, be accepting waste on an interim basis at the facility. By December 31, 2002, the DOE would be required to apply for authorization to construct a permanent repository at the site. To put this in context we should examine the alternative to this legislation. Absent this legislation, or action by the courts, costs will continue to be accrued on our constituents. For example, storage of used nuclear fuel at an operating nuclear reactor can cost $34 to $50 million. More importantly from Colorado's perspective it is estimated that keeping spent fuel on site where the reactor has shut down can cost $46 to $64 million.”