House panel moves forward on Yucca Mountain
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, in a 24-2 vote, on Tuesday approved a resolution that overrides Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn?s veto of Yucca Mountain' selection as the nation's permanent spent nuclear fuel repository.
This is the first formal step toward developing Yucca Mountain as the repository. The resolution would override the veto of the Yucca Mountain site selection that was issued earlier this month by the Gov. Guinn. That action followed a February recommendation from Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham to President Bush that the site be developed. President Bush accepted that recommendation.
The full House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the resolution next, perhaps as early as Thursday, April 25. If reported out of the committee, it will be considered by the full House, likely sometime during early May. The Senate is also planning to consider the resolution this summer.
