[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                BIG WEEK FOR AMERICA'S ENERGY SUPPORTERS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, over 25 years ago, 
Congress legislated Yucca Mountain as our national repository for 
nuclear waste. Sadly, the President discontinued the project in 2009 
solely for political reasons. On Monday, the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission ordered the Department of Energy to proceed with the review 
process.
  This administration has failed to produce a clear plan for storing 
spent nuclear fuel, putting the environment at risk. South Carolinians 
have paid $2 billion into the program for the fees to address spent 
nuclear waste. Yet because of the President's party politics, a 
facility does not exist.
  Thankfully, the judicial system sided with the American people this 
week and demanded the Energy Department to stop collecting these fees 
until a path forward is created. Yucca Mountain is clearly 
environmentally safe and secure and should be completed.
  This is great news for the Aiken-Barnwell community and other 
commercial reactor sites across the country. The President should abide 
by the law. America is a strong Nation because we are a Nation of laws.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.
  I appreciate the community service of Bill and Anne West.

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