Praises President for Pulling Plug on Failed Nevada Nuke Waste Dump in House Floor Speech
February 4, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – displaying a poster of banished pro-dump cartoon mascot “Yucca Mountain Johnny”, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today praised President Obama from the House floor for delivering on his commitment to end efforts to open a nuclear waste repository in Nevada. Text and video of Berkley’s speech appears below.
“On behalf of ‘Yucca Mountain Johnny’ and the people of the State of Nevada, I want to thank the President for putting the kibosh on the Yucca Mountain Project which would have shipped 77,000 tons of toxic, radioactive waste across 43 states to be buried in a hole in the Nevada desert where we have groundwater problems, seismic activity, volcanic activity, no radiation standards, no way to safely transport the waste and no canister that currently exists that could store the waste without corroding.
“The president came to Nevada 20 times during the campaign and pledged to stop Yucca Mountain. The people of the State of Nevada are grateful that he ended this expensive, dangerous, foolish project. On behalf of ‘Yucca Mountain Johnny’ and myself, we thank you, Mr. President. Way to go.”
Berkley waged a successful effort over the past two sessions of Congress to have “Yucca Mountain Johnny” erased from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) youth webpage. The hardhat and overall wearing cartoon character was used by DOE to sell children in Nevada and nationwide on the supposed “safety” of Yucca Mountain, despite the long lists of risks associated with toxic radioactive waste.
Berkley Defends Las Vegas In House Floor Speech On Obama Remarks
February 3, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today spoke from the House floor in response to remarks made this week by President Obama about Las Vegas. Text and video of Berkley’s speech appears below.
“Things are very tough in Las Vegas right now. We have the second highest unemployment rate and the very highest mortgage foreclosure rate in the country. People are hurting.
“We rely on our tourism to fuel our economy as our major industry. When the President singled out Las Vegas again by saying, when times are tough, you tighten your belts, you don’t blow cash in Las Vegas, he’s hurting the people I represent badly.
“What he should have said is that Las Vegas is the most amazing place to vacation. It’s a bargain right now and everyone should go and enjoy our wholesome family entertainment, our great hotels, our fabulous shows, great restaurants, shopping, convention space, gaming, our great weather.
“We are near the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon and Hoover dam. Las Vegas has it all. That’s what the President should have said.
“Mr. President, words matter, and you need to watch what you say.
“Your words are hurting the businesses and families that call Las Vegas home. And they are hurting me.”
Berkley’s speech was in response to President Obama’s statement on Tuesday that, “When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices.”
Berkley To Obama: Stop Picking On Las Vegas
Congresswoman says Americans Should be Free to Decide Where to Spend Vacation Dollars, Touts Hometown as a Bargain
February 2, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today issued the following statement in response to the latest remarks by President Obama about travel to Las Vegas:
“Enough is enough! President Obama needs to stop picking on Las Vegas and he needs to let Americans decide for themselves how and where to spend their hard earned vacation dollars. This is the second time he’s pointed a finger in our direction and both times he’s been wrong to single out Las Vegas. Whether it’s a weekend trip to Vegas or a family visit to grandma’s house, tourism means jobs and a boost for local economies in Nevada and nationwide. What he should have said is that Las Vegas is a bargain and everyone from around the globe should come and see it for themselves,” said Berkley. “I have called the White House to lodge a complaint and I am in the process of writing the President to explain the negative impact of his words on the businesses and families that call Las Vegas home.”
Berkley’s comments are in response to President Obama’s statement that, “When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices.”
Berkley, Nevada Vets Tour Valley’s New VA Medical Complex
*** Hospital, Outpatient Clinic and Long-term Care Facility Enter Final Construction Phase ***
February 1, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today escorted one dozen Nevada veterans on a tour of the Valley’s new VA medical complex, which is now in the final construction phase. Located at 6900 North Pecos Road, the hospital, outpatient clinic and long-term care facility will serve the needs of Nevada veterans, including troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This tour gave us an up-close look at the tremendous progress being made on this trio of facilities that will serve the medical needs of our local veterans,” said Berkley. “The brave men and women of America’s armed forces earned their right to high quality VA care and that’s what we will be able to better provide right here at home as a result of this new hospital, outpatient clinic and long-term care facility,” said Berkley.
Berkley meets regularly with VA officials to ensure the resources are in place for completion of the medical complex. The Congresswoman worked to successfully secure the funding needed for construction of the VA medical complex and authored the legislation that provided the 150 acre parcel where the facilities are located to the VA at no cost.
“Like a concerned mother, I am keeping a close eye on every detail of this project and working in Congress to see that all the needed resources are in place to finish this construction,” said Berkley.
“We salute each and every veteran for their military service and we must honor their dedication and sacrifice by making sure VA has the facilities needed to care for our heroes in Nevada and across the nation.”
Berkley: White House Budget Axes All Yucca Mountain Funding
*** DOE to End Efforts to License Dump in Nevada ***
February 1, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded the White House for eliminating all funding for the failed Yucca Mountain nuclear repository in its 2011 budget. The Department of Energy has also said it will end formal efforts to win a license for the proposed dump within the next 30 days.
“Three decades of failed efforts to dump nuclear waste in Nevada are coming to end with this budget and there will be nothing left of Yucca Mountain when we get done but a bleached pile of bones,” said Berkley. “The President’s budget axes all remaining funding for Yucca Mountain and DOE has said it will pull the plug on efforts to license the dump, making it all but impossible for this threat to one day return from the grave.”
The White House budget for 2011 declares that Yucca Mountain is “not a workable option and that the nation needs a better solution for nuclear waste disposal.” The document also calls for a new solution to managing nuclear waste that is science based and has broad support, including from those living in areas that would be affected by the solution.
“This budget is a bulldozer that will help Nevada flatten Yucca Mountain into a permanent pile of rubble. Money talks and the President’s budget shouts ‘no more spending’ on efforts to dump nuclear waste in Nevada. We are closer than ever to winning the war on Yucca Mountain and the battle now is to pass this funding cut, so I’ll be on the front lines leading the charge in the House,” said Berkley said.
Under the budget, funding for land acquisition, transportation access, and additional engineering work at Yucca Mountain will be eliminated.
Berkley Hails Creation Of New Blue Ribbon Panel On Nuclear Waste
Move Signals End of Yucca Mountain Threat to Nevada
January 29, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today praised the creation of a new blue ribbon commission charged with finding alternatives to the failed Yucca Mountain nuclear repository in Nevada.
“Creation of this expert panel will allow us to forever bury plans to turn Nevada into a nuclear garbage dump and ends decades of failed efforts to open Yucca Mountain,” said Berkley. “President Obama declared that Yucca Mountain would come to an end on his watch. Now he has fulfilled that promise. Along with my fellow Nevadans and informed citizens across the nation, I have been battling Yucca Mountain for decades, and together, we never stopped making the case that this $100 billion boondoggle in the Nevada desert was too costly and too dangerous to ever open. Ending efforts to dump nuclear waste in Nevada will allow us to begin the search for a safe, cost-effective solution to this critical national issue.”
The 15 member Commission includes scientists and other experts on nuclear waste policy. The panel will issue a final report within two years.
“This panel has a diverse membership with a broad range of expertise on all aspects of the nuclear waste issue. By taking Yucca Mountain off the table, commission members will be able to propose a safe and secure solution to America’s nuclear waste problem,” said Berkley.
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