[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1997

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I want to join with my distinguished 
colleagues, Mr. Murkowski, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee, and Mr. Craig of Idaho, in introducing the Nuclear Waste 
Policy Act of 1997. As a cosponsor of the legislation passed by the 
Senate during the 104th Congress, I believe this legislation represents 
the best means of ensuring that the Department of Energy meet its legal 
obligations to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel by 1998.
  Last year, nearly identical legislation was adopted by a strong 
bipartisan vote in the Senate. And with nuclear waste scattered over 
some 35 States, including my home State of Minnesota, it was no 
surprise that the national interest in resolving this issue is strong. 
However, a variety of factors, including a lack of action by the House 
of Representatives, led to the demise of the 104th Congress' bill.
  But support for enacting a real solution has never been stronger. 
Last July, the U.S. Court of Appeals reaffirmed that the DOE continues 
to have responsibility for permanently storing our Nation's commercial 
waste. It is no wonder, considering our nation's ratepayers have 
already contributed some $12 billion; over $250 million from 
Minnesotans alone.
  Having recently returned from Yucca Mountain, the proposed permanent 
storage site located in Nevada, I believe much progress has been made 
over the last year. But after 15 years and with nearly half the nuclear 
trust fund depleted, there still remains no measurable value and the 
American public is fed up with empty promises from their Federal 
Government. They deserve action now.
  The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 delivers such action. It 
provides all the tools necessary to break our interim storage impasse. 
Furthermore, it provides mechanisms to complete the characterization of 
Yucca Mountain and gets the program moving out of the current 
stalemate.
  With 1998 just around the corner, timely action on this legislation 
is critical. For States like Minnesota, which stand to lose nearly 30 
percent of its overall energy resources, action should have occurred 
last year. And now, with the confirmation of a new Energy Secretary 
required, and the program in transition, Congress is faced with some 
tough challenges but our resolve must remain strong. And the 
introduction of this legislation today is our first step.
  In the coming weeks and months, we will be asking our colleagues to 
join us in supporting this long overdue legislation. Rarely does the 
Congress have the opportunity which meets the twin goals of protecting 
our environment and strengthening our economy. Mr. President, I hope 
that the support we had last Congress will be even stronger this year. 
I would encourage my colleagues to add their name today as cosponsors 
to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997.

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