[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1135-E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




LEGISLATION DISAPPROVING THE NRC FROM LOCATING A NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY

                                 ______


                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with other concerned 
Members of Congress to introduce legislation which amends the Nuclear 
Waste Policy Act of 1982 to prohibit the licensing of a permanent or 
interim nuclear waste storage facility outside the 50 States. 
Specifically, this bill would preclude the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission from issuing a license for the storage of radioactive waste 
or spent nuclear fuel in any of the U.S. territories. Senator Daniel 
Akaka has already introduced a companion bill, S. 1878, in the U.S. 
Senate.
  I have grown increasingly troubled by statements and presentations 
that have been made by a New York City investment firm, KVR, Inc., that 
earlier this year made an offer for Palmyra Island, an atoll of more 
than 40 islets

[[Page E1136]]

1,000 miles south of Hawaii. Initially, it was reported that KVR. Inc. 
talked about using Palmyra for scientific research and hotel 
development of some kind. However, recent events make it evident that 
KVR, Inc. wants to use Palmyra for a repository of radioactive waste.
  KVR, Inc. has been circulating draft legislation among the 
administration and Members of Congress to locate a radioactive waste 
site on a Pacific atoll. According to representative from KVR, Inc. 
Palmyra is on a short list of candidate sites being considered.
  I want to state for the record that I am unequivocally against this 
initiative.
  In order to locate the site at Palmyra the draft legislation waives 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act in regard to the 
preparation of the environmental impact statement and the Clean Water 
Act to dredging.
  Siting a radioactive waste facility is a serious matter. The 
environmental consequences cannot be ignored. For too long the Pacific 
community has been used as a nuclear dumping ground. The United States 
tested nuclear devices in the Marshall Islands, and we are all having 
to deal with the enormous costs associated with these tests. More 
recently, the Government of France conducted a series of nuclear tests 
at the Moruroa and Fangatauga atolls in the South Pacific, which was 
opposed by over 160 nations.
  Mr. Speaker, my bill is preemptive strike against proposals to 
designate a radioactive waste site in the Pacific. KVR, Inc. attempts 
to achieve a laudable goal but at an enormous cost. I want to advise my 
colleagues that any attempt to go forward with the KVR, Inc. proposal 
will be vigorously and vehemently opposed.

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