WASHINGTON, June 27, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Four senior U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation today that recognizes the urgent need to address the nation's management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2013 proposes a consent-based siting process for both interim and permanent used fuel storage facilities. Following is a statement on the legislation from the Nuclear Energy Institute's Alex Flint, senior vice president for governmental affairs.
"This is an important step. This bipartisan legislation recognizes the urgency for Congress to reform federal used fuel policy. Whether the Congress decides to pursue consolidated storage or Yucca Mountain or, as the industry recommends, both, there needs to be attention focused to this issue. We welcome the introduction of bills, hearings, and, eventually, consideration in the House and Senate of used fuel legislation. While there is inaction, the government's liability continues to accrue and used fuel continues to build up at plants across the country.
"Chairman Wyden, ranking member Murkowski, and Senators Feinstein and Alexander are to be commended for their hard work to build a comprehensive package that deserves broad Senate support. NEI looks forward to providing the industry's views on this legislation before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee next month and is strongly committed to working with both chambers of Congress to move forward nuclear used fuel management legislation this year."
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The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry's policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available at www.nei.org.
CONTACT:Contact NEI's media relations staff at media@nei.org,
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