U.S. Chamber Calls Dems' Environmental Platform Alarming

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce called the Democratic Party's platform opposition to Yucca Mountain and its refusal to suggest specific energy alternatives a serious failure to address an urgent national need.

"The Democratic party's preference to keep radioactive materials scattered throughout the country at nuclear power plants is alarming," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president of environment, technology and regulatory affairs. "Without a safe, central site we're effectively making ourselves sitting ducks for terrorists."

Democratic Party delegates in Boston approved a national platform that opposes storing the nation's nuclear waste at Nevada's Yucca Mountain site while stating that the party is committed to achieving energy independence. "Without a permanent storage facility for nuclear waste from electric utilities, nuclear energy – and the 20 percent of our electricity supply it represents – is at risk. Such a policy impairs rather than advances our energy independence," said Kovacs.

As to the Democrat claim that they will achieve energy independence, Kovacs noted, "Few U.S. energy experts think this is even remotely possible. Moreover, the Democratic platform does not put forth even one idea as to how it can be achieved. Wishing and hoping will not make energy independence happen."

On the positive side, the Chamber welcomed the news that the party platform dropped calls for implementing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Adopting stringent energy controls would raise prices, increase the risk of energy shortages, and cost the U.S. economy both jobs and future growth.

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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