Rep. Lujan Grisham on Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018

Statement

Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in advance of her vote against the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018, H.R. 3053, which could lead to the development of a nuclear waste storage facility in New Mexico:

"We need a long-term strategy for storing our nation's spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste that protects public safety and national security, preserves our natural resources and environment, and ensures that all affected communities have every opportunity to weigh in. This bill will only create more uncertainty by creating a dangerous loophole that could permanently strand nuclear waste in New Mexico without any guarantee that a long-term strategy will eventually be agreed upon.

"Further, the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future clearly recommended a consent-based approach to storing nuclear waste which respected the wishes of state, local, and tribal governments. This bill flatly ignores those recommendations by pre-empting the objections and concerns of Nevada communities near Yucca Mountain and countless communities near the highways and railways that will carry this waste.

"Storing and transporting nuclear waste is incredibly dangerous. Singling out New Mexico and Nevada and making massive policy changes based purely on political considerations is completely irresponsible."

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