U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
May 29,1998
Dear Senator:
On behalf of our members in all 50 states, citizens and grassroots organizations concerned about nuclear power and atomic wastes, we urge you to cast your vote against proposed changes to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, S104 / HR1270.
The environmental community is united in opposition to this bill. The “new” version that will be offered will, without fail, be unacceptable to anyone committed to environmental protection. This is because this legislation is flawed at its very core. A distant temporary site for high-level nuclear waste does not justify the risk to populations or ecosystems on the transport routes. This is not the time to close the deal on Yucca Mountain being the permanent high-level waste site. There is too much data suggesting that the Yucca Mountain site will fail in the mission of permanent isolation of nuclear waste from the environment. In any case, this judgement must not be made now, in a vote, while much scientific data on the site is lacking, and without suitable technical expertise.
Many of our members are individuals and groups in reactor host communities, and they too view this legislation as irresponsible and a step away from sound nuclear waste policy.
It does not make sense to curtail our environmental laws and waive objective, standardized criteria for the management of our most deadly, environmentally threatening substances. Growing concern about climate change makes no sense if, at the same time we undermine the global gene pool by mismanaging the most mutagenic, teranogenic and carcinogenic substances ever created.
A recent national poll shows that the general public agrees with the environmental groups, responding negatively to the idea of moving nuclear waste across the nation to a temporary site. Two thirds of those responding to the poll rejected the idea of centralized temporary nuclear waste storage in Nevada, while an equal number – 17% — were either undecided, or supported the concept. The same poll shows that the more informed an individual is, the less likely they are to support this program. Your opposition to this legislation is very likely to be supported at home. VOTE NO ON S 104 / HR 1270!
Sincerely,
Michael Mariotte
Executive Director