U.S. House Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
Representative Sensenbrenner: "Our researchers have spent 30 years studying the best ways to safely secure nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Taxpayers have invested at least $10 billion. All that time and money was used to build a facility that can safely and economically store waste and strengthen our energy security. Instead, President Obama is ignoring the clear direction of Congress and discarding the research we've done on this project. What's worse is that the Administration isn't even offering a good explanation for this policy reversal. This is just a political favor for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. That isn't good enough for Congress, or for the Americans whose tax dollars funded this project."
Terry Lane
Republican Communications Director
House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
(202) 225-0110
House Committee on Science and Technology
Republican Caucus
Representative Ralph M. Hall (r-tx), Ranking Member
MEMBERS REITERATE REQUEST ON YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Transparency still lacking
Washington D.C. -Three prominent Republican members on the House Science and Technology Committee today sent a letter to Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu regarding the Administration's decision to abandon the development of the Yucca Mountain location as a nuclear waste repository. The letter, which requests further explanation and documentation behind the decision, was sent by Committee Ranking Member Representative Ralph Hall (R-TX), Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Ranking Member Representative Paul Broun (R-GA) and senior Committee member, Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), who is also the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
"Despite a nearly $10 billion investment, clear congressional direction and legal obligation, and robust scientific study and oversight, the Administration continues to take unexplained actions that could ultimately sacrifice the project," the lawmakers wrote.
In May 2009 and February 2010 the lawmakers wrote a similar letter to Secretary Chu requesting clarification regarding the Administration's stated support for "restarting" nuclear power, while at the same time taking actions that risk materially delaying the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States. On June 1, 2009 Secretary Chu responded with a brief letter noting a project to establish a blue ribbon commission on nuclear waste storage, but failing to address any of the further issues or questions raised in the letter.
Follow up discussion between Committee staff and Department staff confirmed that the Department does not possess documents related to the decision or the inquiry.
"If this is indeed true, we find it alarming that your Department made an important decision that could have significant adverse consequences for the nation and the American taxpayer without conducting a comprehensive analysis," the lawmakers wrote. To date, the D.O.E. has not provided any scientific or technical justification for determining that Yucca Mountain "is not a workable option," arguing that the decision is, in fact, a "matter of policy."
The letter concludes saying, "We have serious concerns that a decision of this magnitude was made without proper authority and without any semblance of scientific or technical review."
Accordingly, the lawmakers once again request all records related to the Department's attempt to withdraw its pending licensing application with prejudice; and all records related to any decision to terminate, reduce, or limit backing for the Yucca Mountain project.
Representative Sensenbrenner: "Our researchers have spent 30 years studying the best ways to safely secure nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Taxpayers have invested at least $10 billion. All that time and money was used to build a facility that can safely and economically store waste and strengthen our energy security. Instead, President Obama is ignoring the clear direction of Congress and discarding the research we've done on this project. What's worse is that the Administration isn't even offering a good explanation for this policy reversal. This is just a political favor for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. That isn't good enough for Congress, or for the Americans whose tax dollars funded this project."
Representative Broun: "Congress has an important oversight responsibility that should be aided by the President's commitment to transparency and openness. Unfortunately, the Department's obstruction violates the President's promises and inhibits Congress's ability to effectively conduct oversight."
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