Doc Hastings has sent a timely and important question to President Obama:
What about Yucca Mountain?
Rep. Hastings, R-Wash., was more delicate, more diplomatic than we phrased it above, but the substance was there.
In a carefully worded letter, Hastings asked Obama to share with Congress his plans for disposing of nuclear waste.
"I write to inquire about the status of your plan to develop a new option for our nation's defense waste and commercial high-level nuclear spent fuel," Hastings wrote.
Twice in the one letter he mentions the need for scientific justification for whichever site is chosen.
Yucca Mountain was the spot chosen after just such a scientific search, and it was written into law by Congress.
But Obama campaigned against using Yucca Mountain as a repository for spent nuclear materials and has said his administration will not be sending material there.
Then where?
The administration says it will name a blue ribbon panel to look into it.
Being in the minority party could work to Doc's disadvantage in this, but his letter is eminently justified and deserves an answer.
As we noted in our editorial recommending Obama for president last year:
"We wish he were more enthusiastic on nuclear energy. It is a definite plus for (Sen. John) McCain that he is a strong supporter of that clean technology as one of the tools out of our dependence upon Middle Eastern oil."
Undoubtedly it is Sen. Harry Reid's position as Senate majority leader that influenced the president's decision. Reid represents Nevada, the home of Yucca Mountain, in the Senate. He is adamantly opposed to opening the Yucca Mountain site.
Most Nevadans, according to polls, don't want the site opened either.
But Reid is in deep trouble at home from other causes.
If liberals do not support Reid when he comes up for re-election next year, he could be on his way out. Some groups threaten to withhold support for him in 2010 if he doesn't get a public option for the health care plan to the Senate floor.
Even as things stand now, one recent poll (Mason-Dixon) showed Reid trailing two possible, relatively unknown, Republican challengers. It found that real estate developer Danny Tarkanian led Reid 48 percent to 43 percent while former GOP party official Sue Lowden led Reid by 49 percent to 39 percent.
"Clearly, any decision about the disposition of commercial nuclear spent fuel and weapons complex high level waste will directly impact the communities I represent in Congress," Hastings wrote the president.
"I would appreciate an update on your efforts to address the federal government's nuclear waste storage obligations. Specifically: 1) what are the scientific reasons why Yucca Mountain is not a feasible option, 2) how long will the new studies take and how much will they cost, 3) what will be studied, 4) will the blue ribbon commission have the freedom to study any option they deem appropriate -- including Yucca Mountain, 5) will sites that were previously considered, such as Hanford, be studied, and 6) how and when will members of the blue ribbon panel be selected?"
Excellent questions.
We're glad Rep. Hastings put them to the president, and we, like him, look forward to the president's response.
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Blue Ribbon Commission says U.S. should start looking for Yucca alternative
Blue Ribbon Commission says U.S. should start looking for Yucca alternative
WASHINGTON -- The United States should immediately start looking for an alternative to replace the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada, which cost an estimated
$15 billion but was never completed, a presidential commission said Thursday.
In its final report, the 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission recommended immediate efforts to develop at least one geologic disposal facility for long-term handling of nuclear waste. Any effort to site a disposal facility must have community support, it said.
The report also suggested building regional storage sites that would be open for up to 100 years while officials seek to complete a permanent burial site.
Nuclear Regulation Commission allows Yucca closure to continue
Nuclear Regulation Commission allows Yucca closure to continue
WASHINGTON -- A divided Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday allowed the Obama administration to continue with plans to close the Yucca Mountain, Nev., nuclear waste repository, where Hanford waste was planned to be sent.
The commission split, 2-2, on whether to uphold or reject a decision by an independent nuclear licensing board. The board voted last year to block the Department of Energy from withdrawing its application for Yucca Mountain. The licensing board said the government failed to make a scientific case for why the application should be withdrawn.
Despite the split vote, the NRC said in an order Friday that the licensing board should continue steps to close out work on Yucca Mountain by the end of the month, citing "budgetary limitations."
GOP candidates disappoint with nuclear waste policy
GOP candidates disappoint with nuclear waste policy
If you're looking for an example of what's wrong with the way we nominate presidential candidates, the recent GOP debate in Las Vegas ought to suffice.
Republican hopefuls -- Newt Gingrich excepted -- rushed to align themselves with President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on the issue of nuclear waste disposal.
Few Herald readers will need reminding that last year the Obama administration unilaterally ordered the Department of Energy to shut down the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository program near Las Vegas.
A whole lot of nothing in panel's recommendation
A whole lot of nothing in panel's recommendation
A little more than two years ago, we supported the idea of a blue ribbon commission back when President Obama suggested it -- with reservations.
It seemed like a good idea to have an independent group look at a nuclear future for this country.
At the same time, we saw the absurdity of manipulating the focus of the scientific review to guarantee a politically expedient outcome.
Panel urges handling Hanford waste
Panel urges handling Hanford waste
The possibility of disposing of Hanford's high-level radioactive waste while a solution continues to be worked out for spent commercial nuclear fuel was raised Thursday at a Senate hearing.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., questioned leaders of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future on its findings at a hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On Wednesday, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., a candidate for governor, questioned commission leaders at a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Environment and Economy.
The commission issued its final recommendation last week, calling for the nation to look for a location "by consensus" where a new national repository for high-level defense waste and used commercial fuel will be welcome. It also called for the development of storage sites to be used in the meantime.
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