[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SHIPPING NUCLEAR WASTE TO YUCCA MOUNTAIN

  (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, Congress will soon vote on whether to 
send nuclear waste to a scientifically unsound and leaky repository at 
Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The Department of Energy has tried to hide how 
they plan to ship at least 77,000 tons of toxic nuclear waste through 
45 States. There may be more than 108 shipments, not to mention as many 
as 3,000 shipments by barge.
  The real dirty secret that the DOE has tried desperately to ignore is 
the immense vulnerability of these transports. More than 123 million 
people live in the 703 counties along DOE's proposed highway routes and 
106 million people live in counties along DOE's rail routes. Even 
routine radiation from the casks, given off while passing on the 
highway, would be a health risk for people living and working in the 
vicinity of the transportation routes.
  The threat of terrorism is more real for Americans more now than 
ever. At every stage of transport, nuclear waste would be vulnerable to 
a devastating terrorist attack that would result in massive civilian 
casualties and severe financial loss.
  The risks associated with transporting nuclear waste are clear. The 
question is, are we willing to play nuclear roulette with our 
Districts? Say no and oppose Yucca Mountain.

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