Key senator pushes Bush administration on Yucca Mountain bill

[NVMojo]

WASHINGTON (AP) - A key senator said Thursday that he'll likely introduce his own bill if the Bush administration doesn't soon unveil much-anticipated legislation to smooth development of a national nuclear waste dump in Nevada.

Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said he's repeatedly offered to carry the administration bill, which has been promised for months. The legislation is expected to guarantee a source of funding for the Yucca Mountain project and address other problems that have hampered development of a permanent, underground repository for highly radioactive waste.

"We must see what it is," Domenici said at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on energy and water, which he chairs. "If something doesn't arrive soon, I will very likely introduce my own bill," his written testimony said.

After the hearing Domenici refused to say what might be in his bill. Other proposals said to be under consideration for the administration's legislation would withdraw public land around the property to create a permanent site for the dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas and expand its capacity beyond 77,000 tons.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/mar/30/033010262.html

[phoebe]

1. the "something to arrive" is a nuclear test that the * admin. is pressing

for...