House Republicans Continue
Push for Failed Dump, Baby, Dump!
Pro-Yucca Energy Bill
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (September 15,
2008) offered her support for a clean energy package from House Democrats that
includes incentives to help Nevada become a leader in use and generation of
solar, geothermal and other forms of renewable power. By contrast, the House
GOP’s “All of the Above” bill includes provisions that would increase spending
on the $100 billion Bush-McCain Yucca Mountain plan, making it harder for Nevada
to cut the proposed nuclear dump’s bloated budget.
“Nevada has a bright future when it comes to solar and
other forms of renewable energy and this balanced legislation makes important
investments in clean power that will benefit families in Las Vegas and that will
spur job creation and new business opportunities around the Silver State. This
package also follows Nevada’s lead when it comes to requiring that a portion of
all the energy we use here at home must come from wind, sun, geothermal and
other forms of renewable power,” said Berkley. “Republicans, on the other hand,
are still pushing their ‘dump, baby, dump’ plan that aims to bury Nevada in
deadly radioactive waste for the next one million years.”
The House Democratic legislation includes a provision that
would create a national requirement for clean energy use modeled after Nevada’s
RPS (renewable portfolio standard) which was the first of its kind when passed
by the Silver State.
“Breaking free of our dependence on fossil fuels by
increasing investments in renewable energy will not only enhance America’s
national security but it will also help our fight to stop global climate change
and the impacts it has had on Nevada from the water in Lake Mead to the snow at
Lake Tahoe,” Berkley said.
Increasing domestic renewable energy production will also
decrease America’s dependence on energy imported from hostile nations.
“The Saudis and other tyrants cannot squeeze America’s
families for every penny when we get our energy from solar and wind made in the
USA, not a barrel of oil imported from the Middle East. We are at a crossroads
as a nation when it comes to how we power our communities and businesses and
Democrats are choosing a path to energy independence that puts the emphasis on
clean forms of power and that is great news for southern Nevada given our
tremendous renewable energy potential,” said Berkley.
