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COMMITTEE REPORT
February 23, 2011
S. 92
Introduced by Senators Ryberg, Rose, Campsen, Verdin, Leventis and Massey
S. Printed 2/23/11--S.
Read the first time January 11, 2011.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 92) to urge the Congress of the United States to endorse Yucca Mountain's suitability as a permanent federal repository for high-level radioactive, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
DANIEL B. VERDIN III for Committee.
TO URGE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENDORSE YUCCA MOUNTAIN'S SUITABILITY AS A PERMANENT FEDERAL REPOSITORY FOR HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
Whereas, in 1975, the State of Nevada passed Assembly Joint Resolution No. 15 strongly urging "the Energy Research and Development Administration to choose the Nevada Test Site for the storage and processing of nuclear material"; and
Whereas, the Department of Energy is obligated to provide a site for disposal of spent nuclear fuel in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982; and
Whereas, the Department of Energy has the responsibility for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants and high-level radioactive waste from U.S. defense facilities in order to protect the public health and safety and the environment; and
Whereas, the failure to provide a repository or to remove spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants in a timely manner, the failure of the Department of Energy to fulfill its legal obligation in a timely manner, and the failure of Congress to require Department of Energy to meet its legal obligations has created a situation that results in increased cost to ratepayers and severely limits the continued operations of all nuclear plants; and
Whereas, continued storage of high-level radioactive spent nuclear fuel at the Savannah River National Laboratory is not in the best interests of the citizens of the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas, the resurgence of nuclear energy in the world energy market has led to a reassessment of programs for the term management of used fuel and the support of the nuclear fuel; and
Whereas, the Savannah River National Laboratory has more than five decades of experience in all the technology elements associated with the nuclear fuel cycle; and
Whereas, the Savannah River National Laboratory continues to provide the technical leadership and support for important national and international priorities related to the safe management of spent nuclear fuels including spent fuel transportation, interim wet and dry storage of spent fuel, and the development of spent fuel disposition technologies; and
Whereas, there have been over 3,000 shipments of used fuel in the United States without a release of the content of the containers; and
Whereas, the issuance by the Department of Energy of the Preliminary Site Suitability Evaluation, culminating nearly twenty years of scientific and environmental study, demonstrates that Yucca Mountain is scientifically suitable for use as a repository; and
Whereas, Yucca Mountain, Nevada, is a suitable site for an underground disposal facility for used fuel from nuclear power plants and high-level radioactive waste from our nation's defense facilities. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the General Assembly of South Carolina urges the Congress of the United States to endorse Yucca Mountain's suitability as a permanent federal repository for high-level radioactive materials.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of South Carolina, and to each member of the state's Congressional Delegation.
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