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.
“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S2331 on March 14, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1997
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, yesterday the Senate Energy Committee voted to approve the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1997, S. 104, which would establish the construction of an interim facility to store spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste produced by the electric industry and by the military.
As a member of the Energy Committee, I voted against S. 104 for two reasons. First, I think today's markup of this legislation was premature. Only 2 days ago the Senate voted to confirm the new head of the Energy Department, Secretary Federico Pena. Clearly Mr. Pena hasn't had an opportunity to fully examine this complex issue. He will need some additional time to study S. 104 and offer his views and recommendations about it. Second, I still have some concerns about whether this bill will facilitate or frustrate getting approval for a permanent disposal site of our Nation's spent nuclear fuel.
Having said this, I want my colleagues to understand that I think that this is an issue that needs immediate attention. The administration and Congress must sit down to negotiate a final solution to this problem as soon as possible. I hope some compromise can be reached that will allow me to vote for this legislation on the Senate floor.
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