Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2022
Floor Speech
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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman DeLauro for yielding to me, along with her staff for working on these seven bills, along with the ranking member, Kay Granger.
Even though I know we do have some differences, I know we will also get together toward the end of the year. Having said that, I stand in opposition to the en bloc amendments.
I also stand in opposition to the recent Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, conduct which runs counter to Federal law. The NRC is fighting massive opposition from elected officials, including two Governors, a Democratic Governor from New Mexico and a Republican Governor from Texas, and the public against the licensing of nuclear fuel storage facilities in Texas and New Mexico.
That is why I offered and withdrew my amendment in the committee markup, so we can work and continue working as this bill moves forward. The NRC not only lacks the consent but is acting unilaterally despite clear opposition in a bipartisan way. The law is very clear. Section 42, U.S. Code 10155, says that the Governor can disapprove--and again, both Governors have disapproved. Section 42, U.S. Code 10166, notice of disapproval, also talks about when the Governor gives the disapproval.
Again, the Republican Governor from Texas and the Democratic Governor from New Mexico have done that.
The law is clear. They have to follow the law, and we must clarify that NRC can only license a DOE-monitored retrievable storage facility once consent has been given by the State and the local community.
I want to thank Chairwoman Kaptur for expressing her willingness to work with myself and Ranking Member Kay Granger on this particular issue that is so important to us.
I am confident that the final version of this legislation will clearly establish the NRC consent-based licensing approval standard.
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