NEWS RELEASE

Nuclear Industry Applauds U.S. Senate for Strong Vote To End Political Gridlock on Nuclear Waste Pol

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate today voted 64-34 in favor of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2000 (S.1287). The following is a statement by Joe F. Colvin, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, in response to the Senate vote.

"The nuclear energy industry is extremely pleased that the Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favor of this important environmental legislation. Senator Frank Murkowski and Majority Leader Trent Lott in particular deserve thanks for achieving approval of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act. By providing for the efficient management and safe isolation of used nuclear fuel, S.1287 helps to make it possible for Americans to derive maximum benefits from nuclear power - our nation’s largest source of emission-free electricity.

"Environmental stewardship requires more than rhetoric. It requires real-world solutions to real-world challenges. With the government repository program already 12 years behind schedule, I applaud the 64 senators who today exhibited the leadership needed to end political gridlock and move the Department of Energy’s waste disposal program forward.

"Even in the absence of White House leadership on this important environmental issue, the drive to efficiently manage and safely isolate used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from U.S. defense programs must continue. As the legislative focus shifts to the House of Representatives, the nuclear industry will continue to work cooperatively with members of Congress to shape amendments to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act that will keep the nuclear waste repository program moving forward."


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 .