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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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YUCCA MOUNTAIN BILL MET WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AT STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL
ST. PAUL, MN - Legislation to freeze all further payments from Minnesota ratepayers to the federal Nuclear Waste Fund (NWF) has received broad, bipartisan support in the state legislature. The bill (HF894) has also grabbed the attention of first-term Minnesota Congressman Erik Paulsen, prompting legislation at the federal level. Authored by Commerce and Labor Chairman Joe Atkins, HF894 passed the House Energy Finance and Policy Division Wednesday with overwhelming, unanimous bipartisan support. Democrats and Republicans voiced strong support for the bill in committee, indicating this bill may be on a fast-track to Governor Pawlenty’s desk.
“This bill is just plain common sense," said Rep. Atkins. “The average Minnesotan has paid more than $549 to this idle fund, expecting safe storage of our spent nuclear fuel in return. A quarter of a century later, we still have nothing to show for it. Until we see some results, Minnesotans have paid enough.”
The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Storage Facility was supposed to be completed January 31, 1998. More than a decade later, Yucca Mountain is still just an empty cave. Ratepayers in Minnesota have doled-out $375.9 million for the Yucca Mountain Facility since the early ‘80s - funds currently gathering dust, and interest, in a Washington D.C. bank account. With interest, Minnesota’s share of the NWF tops $659 million. Atkins’ bill would withhold Minnesota’s payments until Yucca Mountain is completed and starts accepting nuclear waste.
“Payments from 34 states with nuclear power have built up a $31 billion stockpile of cash that has done nothing to keep Americans safer,” said Atkins. “We’re taking a stand here in Minnesota, using the power of our purse to begin pushing the federal government into action. It’s time for an answer on Yucca Mountain.”
Should Atkins’ bill pass, Minnesota would be the first state in the Union to halt payment to the NWF. If enough states follow suit, Americans might finally get an answer on Yucca Mountain - moving 55 thousand tons of nuclear waste to a safe and permanent storage place dozens of states have been waiting on for decades. Lawmakers in other states have already indicated they plan on following Rep. Atkins’ lead, including Missouri Rep. Edgar Emery (R - Jefferson City), Chair of the House Special Committee on Utilities. Atkins is also seeking support from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“President Obama sent a strong message to the country this week when he announced he’s cutting funding for the Yucca Mountain facility,” Atkins stated. “Like ratepayers in Minnesota, our President understands clearly that paying millions to an idle fund is no answer to the nuclear waste question. It’s time we address the problem seriously, and find a long-term solution to the storage of spent nuclear fuel in this country.”
At yesterday’s House Energy Committee, Red Wing Mayor John Howe and Xcel Energy testified in support of the bill. The Prairie Island Indian Community also supports Atkins’ legislation. Rep. Atkins has spoken with Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation, seeking federal support in allowing states to move forward with the proposal. Congressman Erik Paulsen has already offered an amendment to enable utilities to not pay into the NWF.
HF894 is working its way through the legislative process in Minnesota. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee, where it now awaits its next hearing.
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- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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