SC Pols React to Yucca Mountain Ruling

On Tuesday, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled by a 2-1 margin that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must resume its review of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage project.

The project has been on hold for several years at the behest of President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

The ruling requires the review to continue but gives no authority to Congress to release the funds to the Energy Department that are necessary for the project to continue.

South Carolina (along with Washington State) brought the suit forcing the court to make a ruling. Much of the waste is stored in those two states.

State elected officials applauded the decision:

Gov. Nikki Haley (via spokesperson Doug Mayer):

“From day one, Gov. Haley has been crystal clear on this issue – Yucca has been bought and paid for with South Carolina dollars and it’s time to start using it to store nuclear waste. Only in Washington is it legal to make people pay something for nothing and that is exactly what is happening here. President Obama and his administration have failed to lead on this issue but with this ruling there is no legitimate excuse to not move forward and the South Carolinians who continually pay for services they don't receive expect nothing less. The governor is dedicated to keeping South Carolina from becoming a permanent home for this nation’s processed nuclear waste and will continue pushing for Yucca Mountain to be used for its intended purpose.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham

“I applaud the Court’s calling out the Obama Administration for their flagrant violation of the law. The court rightly rebuked the Obama Administration for delaying a decision on this important national security matter. 

“Yucca Mountain remains the appropriate nuclear waste storage site.  In addition, some of the first nuclear waste to be sent to Yucca Mountain would come from Savannah River Site. Today’s ruling is positive news for South Carolina and our nation.”

Sen. Tim Scott

“Time and again, we have seen this administration simply ignore laws that it doesn’t want to follow,” Scott said. “From failing to follow through with the Yucca Mountain review to unilaterally delaying politically inconvenient components of Obamacare, the president has made a habit of disregarding existing laws at his convenience. This court ruling sends a clear message that the administration must comply with the rules that are in place, or work with Congress – and across party lines – to change them. We all have to play by the same rules. The president and his administration are not exempt.” 

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-2)

"The Obama Administration has developed a habit of disregarding the law. Today's decision by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals is a tremendous victory for our nation as it holds the President accountable for abiding by the decision Congress made to designate Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository.  South Carolina rate-payers have invested over $1.3 billion dollars into Yucca Mountain over the last thirty years and we deserve to see this project completed.'

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-3)

“Today’s ruling shows once again that President Obama is not above the law. Congress established Yucca Mountain as the nation’s nuclear waste depository. The President cannot change that simply because he disagrees. Moving forward with Yucca Mountain honors the promise made to states like South Carolina to develop a safe and permanent storage facility for nuclear materials and supports decades long U.S. national security and non-proliferation policies. Nuclear power can continue to be a safe and dependable power source that leads our country closer to energy independence. I remain committed to do everything in my power to ensure that Yucca Mountain moves forward and that our government is making energy decisions based on what’s best for the country, not based on politics.”