Shelley Berkley: “Congress will soon vote on whether to send nuclear waste to a scientifically unsound and leaky repository at Yucca…”

“Congress will soon vote on whether to send nuclear waste to a scientifically unsound and leaky repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The Department of Energy has tried to hide how they plan to ship at least 77,000 tons of toxic nuclear waste through 45 States. There may be more than 108 shipments, not to mention as many as 3,000 shipments by barge. The real dirty secret that the DOE has tried desperately to ignore is the immense vulnerability of these transports. More than 123 million people live in the 703 counties along DOE's proposed highway routes and 106 million people live in counties along DOE's rail routes. Even routine radiation from the casks, given off while passing on the highway, would be a health risk for people living and working in the vicinity of the transportation routes. The threat of terrorism is more real for Americans more now than ever. At every stage of transport, nuclear waste would be vulnerable to a devastating terrorist attack that would result in massive civilian casualties and severe financial loss. The risks associated with transporting nuclear waste are clear. The question is, are we willing to play nuclear roulette with our Districts? Say no and oppose Yucca Mountain.”