[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H418-H419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              YUCCA MOUNTAIN PROJECT RIDDLED WITH PROBLEMS

  (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, I rise today in strong opposition to the

[[Page H419]]

$651 million included in the President's budget for the Yucca Mountain 
project. An increase in funds for the Yucca project that is 
consistently riddled with problems is ridiculous.
  Last year the Department of Energy faced insurmountable hurdles it 
was unable to overcome, resulting in its failure to submit its license 
application on time. The second highest court in the United States 
ruled that the Yucca Mountain radiation standards were inadequate to 
protect the health and safety of the American people and that the EPA 
knowingly ignored the scientists' recommendations. We are talking about 
the harmful effects of radiation being underestimated by a mere 290,000 
years.
  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to its credit, refused to rubber-
stamp an electronic database required for licensing the Yucca 
repository, and expressed serious concerns about the lack of 
information supplied in the license application.
  Instead of dumping even more money into a $9 billion hole in the 
Nevada desert, we should be investing in clean, renewable energy 
sources and moving toward energy independence. Instead, the President 
is slashing critical funding for renewable energy while adding $651 
million to the Yucca Mountain debacle.
  Fraud, waste and abuse in government, look at the Yucca Mountain 
project. It is the poster child.

                          ____________________