releases: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/sens-cramer-barrasso-introduce-legislation-address-nuclear-waste
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.cramer.senate.gov/sens-cramer-barrasso-introduce-legislation-address-nuclear-waste | Sens. Cramer, Barrasso Introduce Legislation to Address Nuclear Waste | 2019-11-22 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | ND | Kevin Cramer | C001096 | www.cramer.senate.gov | legacy | ***Click here foraudio.*** WASHINGTON U.S. Senator and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) this week to introduce the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019. This bill provides practical reforms to the nation's nuclear waste management policy, ensuring the federal government fulfills its legal obligation to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste. Nuclear is an excellent source of reliable energy in America, and our largest source of carbon-free energy. But our lack of long-term strategy for dealing with nuclear waste is untenable,said Senator Cramer. This legislation advances responsible nuclear waste management, an important issue for our region and for all states who want to help responsibly provide their constituents access to reliable, carbon-free energy. I urge my colleagues to join us in leading this effort. If we're serious about reducing carbon emissions in a meaningful way, we need to get serious about dealing with nuclear waste. Nuclear power is America's largest source of carbon-free energy, but it leaves left over spent fuel. Right now, that nuclear waste and high-level radioactive material is being stored in 39 different states,said Chairman Barrasso. This legislation will advance the safety review of the Yucca Mountain facility. It also takes important steps to strengthen the nation's nuclear waste management program. The House of Representatives has advanced abipartisan bill out of committee. I look forward to gaining similar bipartisan support in the Senate. Minnesota is home to the Prairie Island and Monticello Nuclear Generating Stations operated by Xcel Energy. These facilities provide 24/7, emission-free baseload energy to North Dakota; however, due to legal challenges, the facility is forced to store the nuclear waste onsite rather than at a secured repository. This legislation: Assists in the resolution of the pending Yucca Mountain license, which will allow the formal licensing process to determine if the repository can be licensed and constructed; Provides regulatory certainty for our tribes, local communities and utilities; Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to move forward with a temporary storage program to consolidate spent nuclear fuel from sites with a decommissioned reactor while work on the Yucca Mountain repository progresses, including the authority to enter into a contract with a non-federal entity; Reforms a broken financing mechanism to protect ratepayers and assure DOE has adequate funding to construct and operate a multi-generational infrastructure project; Provides the state of Nevada and local stakeholders the opportunity to beneficially engage with the federal government as the host state for the repository; Provides the most expeditious pathway to remove defense-waste from DOE sites; and Strengthens DOE program management and organization to more effectively implement its nuclear waste program. This bill was introduced in the Senate shortly after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed identical legislation by a voice vote.Click here to read the entire bill. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |