Heller Blasts House Panel for Advancing Yucca Mountain Funds

Statement

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) today blasted the U.S. House of Representatives' Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development for advancing its fiscal year 2019 energy and water-spending bill that directs $267.7 million to support the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The legislation now goes to the full committee for consideration.

Today's action comes shortly after Heller successfully blocked funding to help restart Yucca mountain in the fiscal year 2018 omnibus measure. Thanks to Heller's efforts the omnibus package, signed into law in March, excluded $150 million requested by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to support and fund licensing activities at the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository.

"The House Appropriations Committee's misguided decision to fund Yucca Mountain is an exercise in futility. Under my watch, I will not let one more hard-earned taxpayer dollar go toward this failed project -- just as I have in the past. Yucca Mountain is dead, it is that simple," said Heller. "While it's disappointing to see the House move forward on a bill that includes funding for Yucca Mountain that exceeds even the Administration's budget request by $100 million, I am committed to blocking these efforts and I will continue to lead the fight against reviving Yucca Mountain."

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