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November 21,2003
BATTLE LINES Commission at odds over YMP transportsTRUMMELL'S OPPOSITION TO RAIL ROUTE THROUGH PAHRUMP REJECTED BY PEERS
By MARK WAITE
Her suggestion drew concerns from the two commissioners named as liaisons on nuclear waste issues, Henry Neth and Joni Eastley, who worried it might muddy the waters on transportation studies currently underway - or even affect funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The proposed "Jean" rail route would go through Pahrump Valley linking Yucca Mountain with rail lines along the Interstate 15 corridor. A Valley Modified Corridor would connect Yucca Mountain with the I-15 corridor through Las Vegas. They are two of the five proposed rail routes for the Yucca Mountain project. Two more rail routes would connect Yucca Mountain from Caliente in the east; another lengthy rail line would extend from Carlin in the north. The commission decided to table taking a position on the rail route until current studies are completed. Trummell said with oversight funding of Yucca Mountain being reduced, leaving a Jean route open for consideration would allow "the big dogs" in Clark County to claim more oversight funds than they might be entitled. She said people involved in the project don't believe the Valley Modified Route is still on the table due to strong opposition from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who has pledged to lie down on the tracks to block the shipments. But Commissioner Eastley said Nye County just accepted a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for a transportation assessment of all the routes. She said commissioners, as part of that agreement, pledged to continue a "dispassionate and unbiased view of each one of those routes." Trummell said the public supports her position on the issue She released a survey by Voter Consumer Research that showed 57 percent of Nye County residents surveyed opposed the construction of the Yucca Mountain repository and 73 percent opposed shipping it by railroad through urban areas like Reno or Las Vegas. County Manager Mike Maher questioned the depth of that survey. Trummell said it included 680 registered voters statewide, but didn't know how many were surveyed in Nye County. Commissioner Neth noted U.S. Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, sponsored language this year in a Yucca Mountain bill in the House of Representatives to delete the Jean route and the Valley Modified Route, but that language is no longer included in the bill. He noted members of the Nevada congressional delegation didn't argue in favor of that provision. Neth said the Valley Modified Corridor would also be a favorable option for Nye County, as the rail route wouldn't touch Nye County communities and would involve the shipments from being in Nye County the least amount of time. "If you want to take a look at the possibility that rail dictates the possibility of economic development in a community, you look at the community of Caliente and rail has cone nothing for them," Neth said. If there is a possibility a Yucca Mountain rail route could contribute to economic development in Pahrump, then Nye County should demand money to study the impacts of that infrastructure. Neth said he was struggling with the county taking a position rejecting any of the transportation routes. "Our position has always been neutrality and according to our latest resolution, has been one of constructive engagement for the protection of Nye County. The result of that position over the years has been mind boggling to the tune of over $100 million," Neth said. He was referring to DOE funding in Payment Equal to Taxes and oversight. Commissioner Patricia Cox said, "It is also our responsibility to not only protect our interests but to protect the most populated area of Nevada. Why would we want to have it transported through these areas? The only reason I could come up with is economic development reasons and that is not a good enough reason to have it go through Pahrump." Trummell differed with Neth's interpretation of the county's stance on Yucca Mountain as one of neutrality, pointing out in a 2002 resolution the county agreed to "constructively engage" with DOE. She said constructive is defined in Webster's dictionary as "promoting improvement or development." The oversight funding lost to Clark County could offset any gains in infrastructure by having a rail route through Pahrump, Trummell said. She added, "We are trying to protect our health, safety and economic interest by removing routes that probably aren't going to happen and would endanger the most citizens of the State of Nevada." While Neth reiterated his opinion that, "Nye County has made great inroads with its position" and has received "a tremendous amount of benefits" due to being a player in the game with DOE, Trummell said the Nuclear Waste Policy Act dictates the county would receive payments equal to taxes from DOE regardless of what position it takes. |
