Calls from citizens needed to keep nuclear waste off Indiana roads

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1996 -- AKA the "Mobile Chernobyl Act" -- is currently pending in the U.S. Senate and would open a so-called interim nuclear waste dump in Nevada as well as could mandate the largest nuclear waste transportation enterprise in history. Although there are no nuclear plants in Indiana, under this legislation roughly 4,500 casks of nuclear waste from plants to the North and East will be shipped through Indiana over seven rail and three highway routes, passing through or near every major population center in Indiana.

There has already been seven accidents involving transportation of nuclear waste for an average of 1 accident per 300 shipments. While those numbers may seem good, they mean Indiana could experience 15 or more accidents involving nuclear waste if S. 1963 passes.

Nevada, which has no nuclear reactors, vigorously opposes the dump. Forty-three states would become the pathways for the nation's nuclear waste, exposing millions to unwarranted risk. Safety standards for the transportation casks are inadequate and do not require compliance testing of full-scale models.

Despite the fact that the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, S. 1936 (formerly S.1271), is opposed by both the environmental community and the Clinton administration, the vote is likely to be very close thanks to extensive pressure on Congress from the nuclear industry.

"This legislation is clearly not in the interest of the citizens of Indiana, Nevada, or the other states it will affect," said Christopher Williams, CAC Executive Director. "Rather than exploring less hazardous alternatives, the nuclear energy industry is trying to push this bill through in an effort to make the nuclear industry more affordable. CAC members should write Senators Lugar and Coats immediately to voice opposition to S. 1936."

Nevada Senators Bryan and Reid plan to filibuster the bill. In order to bring this bill to a vote, the bill's proponents will have to vote to cut off debate, a procedure called "cloture." The best way to stop S. 1936 is to stop the vote for cloture.

Call Sen. Coats at (202) 224-5623 and Sen. Lugar at (202) 224-4814 and urge them to oppose cloture on S. 1936 and protect Indiana's roads and railways from the risky transport of nuclear waste.

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