Charles W. Stenholm: “few issues could be more important to the future security of the United States than passage of House Joint Resolution…”

“few issues could be more important to the future security of the United States than passage of House Joint Resolution 87. For over two decades, scientists have subjected the suitability of Yucca Mountain to intense scrutiny, at a cost of more than $7 billion. It has been concluded that radioactive material can be safely stored deep underground in this area. Today, this material is located at 131 different sites around the country in temporary above-ground storage. As a result, almost 162 million people live within 75 miles of one of these temporary storage facilities. Consolidating this material in one safe, secure underground location is the rational answer to the waste disposal question. Furthermore, by moving excess waste from commercial and decommissioned plants, we will remove 131 targets from a potential terrorist attack. Some would make an issue of transportation. The Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, has ensured that many precautions are taken when transporting nuclear materials relating to routing, security, tracking of progress via satellite on a 24-hour basis, and coordination with State officials. To date, we have transported more than 2,700 shipments of spent nuclear fuel over the last 30 years, traveling over 1.6 million miles without any harmful release of radiation. Preliminary route selection and detailed planning will begin at least 5 years before the first shipment takes place.”