[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  YUCCA MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY WILL MEAN LARGE GOVERNMENT 
                    PAYOFFS FOR DEVALUED PROPERTIES

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, what will a temporary nuclear waste 
repository at Yucca Mountain, NV, mean to private property owners in 
some districts? It will mean large Government payoffs because the 
transportation of this radioactive waste will devalue their property. 
The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that Mr. John Komis of Santa Fe be 
awarded more than $884,000 resulting from devaluation damage to his 
land due to the transportation of radioactive waste past his property.
  If H.R. 1270 passes, almost 80,000 tons of nuclear waste will be 
transported across this country, devaluing property along the way. And 
who will pay for this devaluation in private property? Of course, the 
American taxpayer. They will foot the bill to support a radical and 
extremely costly policy mandated upon them by Congress.
  It is time Members pay attention to this debate and represent the 
constituency that elected them to protect their property and their 
rights. Madam Speaker, this is a bill that America cannot afford.

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