Yucca cuts could force huge layoff (1700 jobs)

[UpInArms]

http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2004/06/02/news/yucca.html

WASHINGTON - Almost 1,700 workers would face layoffs in Nevada and in other states starting this summer if Congress forces a deep budget cut in the Yucca Mountain Project, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has told lawmakers.

Abraham said job losses would amount to 70 percent of the workforce for the planned nuclear waste repository.

The layoffs - most of them in Nevada - would shut down most activities on the repository program at a time when the Energy Department is rushing to complete a key license application by Christmas, Abraham said. A repository opening scheduled for 2010 would be delayed "for an indefinite period of time."

Abraham issued a dark outlook in a letter sent Monday to Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, a subcommittee chairman who is friendly to DOE but says he might need to write an 85 percent budget cut - down to $131 million - for the Yucca program in the fiscal year that begins in October.

The letter is expected to be cited by Hobson and other repository supporters who are trying to avert a big setback for the project as Congress debates spending bills in the coming weeks.

...more...

[bluestateguy]

1. 1700 jobs, 5 electoral votes

Kerry voted against the Yucca waste dump by the way.

[Massacure]

3. If Yucca gets cut

Where do we put the nuclear waste?

[struggle4progress]

2. The object here is to bypass old promises ...

that Yucca Mountain would not be opened without adequate scientific assurances that it would be safe. They started to run into moisture problems, so they're going to shut down the study and lose the paperwork. In a couple of years, they'll be back, claiming that enough study has been done and it's time to open the place for waste shipments.

These guys have NO integrity.

[mulethree]

4. $160,320 a head?

$400 Million payroll / 2495 people = $160,320 each

"Abraham said the Yucca program carries a $400 million annual payroll that provides work to 231 federal employees and 2,264 employed by contractors. He said layoffs would reach beyond Nevada, where 105 federal workers and 1,650 contract employees are based"

[UpInArms]

5. seems a bit steep, doesn't it? .............eom

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

:kick: