Political Quotes

“First of all, he is right about nuclear power. It produces a lot of electricity in the United States. But everyone recognizes those days are numbered. The average life expectancy of nuclear power in the United States is 15 years. After that it is going to be gone. As I indicated yesterday, it might be 25 years with one of the reactors and it may 5 years with another. But nuclear power is all through in this country. It simply is too dangerous, and everyone knows that. I will also speak to the question of what to do with spent fuel. That question has been raised. Senator Bryan and I continually answer the question. It is very easy. We should leave it where it is--capsulated in the spent fuel rods kept in dry cask containers. As Senator Bryan mentioned today and I mentioned yesterday, there would be no fire that would damage the dry cask storage containers as would happen in a diesel truck or train. There would be no accident that would occur driving at speeds that would rupture the casks. It is safe and it is cheap. That is what should be done with nuclear waste for the foreseeable future. I will also state, Mr. President, that the question still has never been answered: What about the environmental groups? Hundreds of them oppose this legislation--not two or three, not 20 or a couple score, but hundreds that are now a part of the record.”