Big Week for America's Energy Supporters

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, over 25 years ago, Congress legislated Yucca Mountain as our national repository for nuclear waste. Sadly, the President discontinued the project in 2009 solely for political reasons. On Monday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered the Department of Energy to proceed with the review process.

This administration has failed to produce a clear plan for storing spent nuclear fuel, putting the environment at risk. South Carolinians have paid $2 billion into the program for the fees to address spent nuclear waste. Yet because of the President's party politics, a facility does not exist.

Thankfully, the judicial system sided with the American people this week and demanded the Energy Department to stop collecting these fees until a path forward is created. Yucca Mountain is clearly environmentally safe and secure and should be completed.

This is great news for the Aiken-Barnwell community and other commercial reactor sites across the country. The President should abide by the law. America is a strong Nation because we are a Nation of laws.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

I appreciate the community service of Bill and Anne West.

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