Transcript of floor speech by Shelley Berkley, Commerce Committee Legislation to Amend Nuclear Waste Policy, April 21, 1999 (3 pages)

April 21, 1999 REP. SHELLEY BERKLEY Floor Speech Commerce Committee Legislation to Amend Nuclear Waste Policy Mr. Speaker, This Congress is on the verge of making a huge mistake. As we speak, the House Commerce Committee is trying to pass legislation that would dump more than 70,000 tons of lethal nuclear waste just 90 miles from Las Vegas, home to over 1 million men, women and children. What's worse, this bill proposes to move this waste on our nation's highways and rail lines, through 43 states, through the backyards of 50 million Americans. Mr. Speaker, it's estimated that this mobile Chernobyl will create between 200 and 400 accidents. I ask my colleagues, if such an accident occurred in your district, and you voted for this legislation, what possible explanation could you give your constituents? Who would you send in to clean up the radioactive mess or to care for the radioactive injured? There is an alternative. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson has come up with a brilliant plan to keep deadly radioactive waste off the nation's highways and railways. He wants the Energy Department to take control of nuclear waste at the nation's reactor sites and provide funding to guarantee safe and ample storage at these sites until a scientifically safe and sound solution to permanent disposal is found. Please vote against this legislation. Thank You