NEWS RELEASE

Approval of Texas-Maine-Vermont Low-Level Waste Bill Will Help Continue Benefits of Nuclear Technolo

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate today voted 78-15 to approve H.R. 629, legislation allowing Texas, Maine and Vermont to form the nation's 10th low-level radioactive waste disposal compact. Today's Senate vote follows approval of the legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives July 30 on a vote of 305-117. H.R. 629 does not specify a site for a disposal facility but leaves that decision to Texas. The following is a statement by Joe Colvin, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, in response to today's Senate action.

"Congress has demonstrated tremendous leadership with its bipartisan approval of H.R. 629. This legislation provides for safe management of the by-products of nuclear technologies that yield critical benefits in medicine, agriculture, science, electricity generation and other sectors.

"Safe, cost-effective disposal options ensure the continued availability of the nuclear technologies that diagnose and treat disease, advance our scientific understanding, light our homes and factories, and raise our standard of living.

"I commend Senator Lott for making today's vote possible, along with Representative Joe Barton of Texas for his leadership in sponsoring H.R. 629. The Texas, Maine and Vermont congressional delegations should be recognized for their hard work on this issue, as well. The industry urges President Clinton to promptly sign this legislation into law for the millions of Americans nationwide who benefit daily from the many applications of nuclear technologies."


The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry’s policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available on NEI’s Internet site at http://www.nei.org.