Alan Simpson: “I would tell the gentleman that they have brought a lot of nuclear waste to the State of Idaho. We process it there. It…”

“I would tell the gentleman that they have brought a lot of nuclear waste to the State of Idaho. We process it there. It was Rocky Flats that was, they say, cleaned up. It wasn't cleaned up; it was moved to Idaho because we got most of their stuff there. That is kind of what happens. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose this amendment. I think we all understand why my colleagues from Nevada oppose Yucca Mountain, their position on Yucca Mountain; however, I cannot support this amendment. It is time to move forward with the Yucca licensing process. The previous administration ignored the law. I repeat that--ignored the law. Ignoring our obligation to take responsibility for this spent fuel, and breaking trust with 32 States stopped this process in its tracks. I don't think I have to state why that happened. It wasn't because of science or anything else. We all know why they stopped the licensing process at Yucca Mountain. The decision has already cost taxpayers $6 billion in claims, and the Department of Energy estimates at least another $24 billion in claims. This administration has taken swift action to put us back on track, and the budget request proposed in this bill includes $150 million for Yucca licensing efforts.…”