[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9041-H9042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRANSPORTATION OF NUCLEAR WASTE POSES THREAT TO AMERICA'S COMMUNITIES

  (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, the nuclear energy industry is trying to 
pull the nuclear wool over the eyes of America.
  A recent report stated that transportation accidents involving 
dangerous nuclear wastes are inevitable and widespread catastrophic 
contamination is very, very possible. When comparing similar situations 
of transporting nuclear wastes and hazardous materials, the future for 
needless highly dangerous nuclear waste shipments looks frightening.
  Data from the Department of Transportation reveals that in the last 
10 years, just under 100,000 accidents released some form of hazardous 
material in the United States and its territories.

[[Page H9042]]

  Madam Speaker, these releases caused over $300 billion in damages, 
over 4,000 minor injuries and 350 major injuries, and over a staggering 
100 human deaths.
  Madam Speaker, these statistics are unacceptable, especially when 
extremely dangerous nuclear waste and its catastrophic repercussions 
are similarly shipped across this country. I urge my colleagues to vote 
no on H.R. 1270.

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