Yucca Mountain Dispute: Nevada Seeks To End Texas Suit

Nevada wants to make sure one thing is clear - that when it comes to what happens in their state, they feel they should have the final say. So, on Wednesday the state went to court to stop a lawsuit filed by Texas over plans for a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Texas wants the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make an expedited decision on getting a repository opened. Nevada wants a full licensing procedure to take place and is trying to prevent the repository from being approved.

"Yucca Mountain would come at the direct expense of the health and safety of Nevadans and this petition would diminish Nevada’s ability to make its case against this ill-conceived project," said Governor Brian Sandoval.

"The State of Nevada will continue to fight and defeat this dangerous project at every opportunity and in any venue."

Sandoval and the state's attorney general, Adam Laxalt, say this action is an important step in our continued and relentless efforts to defeat the proposal to store high level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.

"Nevada will continue to battle any and every attempt to dump unwanted nuclear waste in its backyard," said Laxalt. "A team of attorneys, including my Solicitor General's Office, have been working diligently with the Agency for Nuclear Projects and outside experts to defend Nevada against the proposed repository.

"We are encouraged that the Fifth Circuit recognized Nevada's vital interest in any legal proceeding related to Yucca Mountain, and we are hopeful that the Court will also recognize Texas's attempt to circumvent Congress."

The next action on this case is scheduled for June 30.

Texas has not yet responded.

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