The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S631 on Jan. 22, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1997
Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I want to join with my distinguished colleagues, Mr. Murkowski, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Mr. Craig of Idaho, in introducing the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997. As a cosponsor of the legislation passed by the Senate during the 104th Congress, I believe this legislation represents the best means of ensuring that the Department of Energy meet its legal obligations to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel by 1998.
Last year, nearly identical legislation was adopted by a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate. And with nuclear waste scattered over some 35 States, including my home State of Minnesota, it was no surprise that the national interest in resolving this issue is strong. However, a variety of factors, including a lack of action by the House of Representatives, led to the demise of the 104th Congress' bill.
But support for enacting a real solution has never been stronger. Last July, the U.S. Court of Appeals reaffirmed that the DOE continues to have responsibility for permanently storing our Nation's commercial waste. It is no wonder, considering our nation's ratepayers have already contributed some $12 billion; over $250 million from Minnesotans alone.
Having recently returned from Yucca Mountain, the proposed permanent storage site located in Nevada, I believe much progress has been made over the last year. But after 15 years and with nearly half the nuclear trust fund depleted, there still remains no measurable value and the American public is fed up with empty promises from their Federal Government. They deserve action now.
The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997 delivers such action. It provides all the tools necessary to break our interim storage impasse. Furthermore, it provides mechanisms to complete the characterization of Yucca Mountain and gets the program moving out of the current stalemate.
With 1998 just around the corner, timely action on this legislation is critical. For States like Minnesota, which stand to lose nearly 30 percent of its overall energy resources, action should have occurred last year. And now, with the confirmation of a new Energy Secretary required, and the program in transition, Congress is faced with some tough challenges but our resolve must remain strong. And the introduction of this legislation today is our first step.
In the coming weeks and months, we will be asking our colleagues to join us in supporting this long overdue legislation. Rarely does the Congress have the opportunity which meets the twin goals of protecting our environment and strengthening our economy. Mr. President, I hope that the support we had last Congress will be even stronger this year. I would encourage my colleagues to add their name today as cosponsors to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997.
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