"It's Time to Move on From Yucca Mountain"

Clinton Challenges Bush Administration's

"Rushed and Incoherent Process" to License Yucca

At a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing this morning, Hillary Clinton challenged the Bush administration on its rush to license Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository.  Today's hearing was scheduled at Senator Clinton's request.

"It's time to move on from Yucca Mountain," she said.  "I believe we should start over, and assemble our best scientific minds to identify alternatives.   In the meantime, we need to make sure we are storing waste safely and securely at reactor sites where it is located today.  And we need to do better thinking about the massive challenge of transporting waste safely and securely from reactor sites to a permanent repository.

"What we should not do is to push an incomplete application for a flawed site through a rushed and incoherent process.  But unfortunately, it is clear from the testimony of our witnesses that this is precisely the course of action that this administration intends to pursue."

Later, on a media teleconference, Clinton reiterated her commitment to stopping the project as president, and to in the meantime work with Senator Reid to challenge the administration in its continuing attempts to push the project forward.

"Senator Clinton has been a consistent and vocal opponent of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository," said Clinton Nevada Chair Rory Reid.  "During today's hearing, she showed her ability to ask the tough questions and hold the administration accountable for its irresponsible process, aptly described by Senator Clinton as 'opaque.' 

Safe storage of spent nuclear waste is not just a Nevada issue – it's a national issue.  Today Senator Clinton proved once again that she has the strength and experience to lead our nation in the right direction.”

"So to those who say your generation is disengaged - that you're not as passionate and committed as we were - I say, come out to Providence and Keene and Durham and Wellesley.   See how every day, young people here and across America are standing up, taking charge and making the impossible possible," said Clinton.

She also laid out an agenda to help college students and young voters realize their full potential by improving access to higher education, creating new jobs, tackling global challenges like the environment and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"I have been a big fan of Hillary's for a long time because she understands the issues that are important to me." said Christine Snively, a UNH graduate student who is expected to introduce Hillary at an event at the Durham campus. "She has strong plans to restore the Middle Class and provide universal healthcare to every American. Hillary also recognizes the importance of making college affordable and of promoting alternative means of education for kids who don't take the college route."