U.S. Chamber Applauds DOE Recommendation of Yucca Mountain for Nuclear Waste

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce applauded Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham's decision today to recommend Yucca Mountain, Nev., for a nuclear waste disposal site.

"President Bush should quickly accept this long-overdue recommendation," said Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber executive vice president. "Two decades of research support this decision — which will ultimately fulfill the government's responsibility to find a safe and final resting place for spent nuclear fuel from power plants and from our armed forces."

The government agreed to take control of nuclear waste more than 20 years ago, but has been delayed by nearly inexhaustible objection from opponents and additional scientific research, according to the Chamber. Every scientific study has supported the selection of Yucca Mountain as a permanent storage site and a final decision and action are of critical importance to our national and energy security.

"Power plants were never meant to permanently store nuclear waste," said Josten. "A specially designed underground repository is the safest, most secure, and most economical way to dispose of this material."

Nuclear energy — which provides 20% of the country's electricity — is an important component of the administration's comprehensive national energy policy and President Bush recognizes the vital role nuclear energy plays in ensuring America's energy, economic, and national security. The President's final approval of the Yucca Mountain site will allow the government's nuclear waste management program to proceed to the licensing phase.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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02-26