Harry Reid: “I would just say that terrorists' modus operandi is to find areas of weakness so that they can spread terror. This…”

“I would just say that terrorists' modus operandi is to find areas of weakness so that they can spread terror. This, believe me, Mr. President, would spread terror. And that is an understatement. As my colleague from Nevada pointed out, S. 104 is not improved with the substitute. This substitute amendment is no better than S. 104 as originally submitted. The bottom line of this substitute is that the nuclear power industry and its allies insist that spent nuclear fuel be stored in Nevada no matter what. They did not address their real concern, they say, and that is transportation. They did not address environmental concerns. The bill now says that if Yucca Mountain is found unsuitable by the President, then a different interim storage site must be designated within 24 months. If that is not bad public policy, I cannot believe what would be. If a different interim site is not designated within that period, then Nevada would become the default storage site, even though it has already been determined scientifically to be inadequate for that purpose. Everybody knows that no alternative site can be designated in 24 months. Everybody knows we spent well over 15 years trying to decide whether Yucca Mountain is suitable. At least that much time would be required before another interim site could be designated. Yucca Mountain must be designated as interim storage site under S. 104 regardless of the suitability assessment. That is wrong.”