Shelley Berkley: “My amendment is based on a simple concept--the Department of Energy, or any government entity for that matter, should…”

“My amendment is based on a simple concept--the Department of Energy, or any government entity for that matter, should not be using taxpayer funds to "educate" the children of America about one side of a very complicated and contentious issue. The Department of Energy's Web site includes a section called the "Yucca Mountain Youth Zone," featuring the cartoon character Yucca Mountain Johnny, along with games and activities designed to convince kids that the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository is a good idea. My position on Yucca Mountain should not be a mystery to any member of this body. I have long opposed the plan to bury nuclear waste in the Nevada desert following what I consider to be a process based on politics rather than sound science. But I recognize that reasonable people can disagree about such an important issue. What I do not accept, however, is that the Department of Energy can get away with trivializing a very serious debate by using a Nuclear Joe Camel to promote Yucca Mountain to children. My amendment would eliminate funding for the Yucca Mountain Youth Zone Web site.”