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May 13, 2005
DOE officials trivialize e-mail scandal
By ERICA WERNER "It has been my judgment that until I see something that indicates to me that the science of this project has been compromised, we're going to continue to go forward as planned," Bodman told reporters after meeting with Nevada's congressional delegation for the first time since announcing the existence in mid-March of e-mails suggesting workers on the project might have falsified documents. Bodman said he was awaiting results of a scientific inquiry by the Department of Energy and criminal investigations by the inspectors general of the Energy and Interior departments, who are being assisted by the FBI. But meantime, Bodman said: "We're continuing to do our work, and I do not consider Yucca Mountain to be dead." Frustrated Nevada lawmakers said the energy secretary delivered the same message to them during the half-hour meeting in the office of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "He just brushed it off like it's really no big deal," said Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. "We think it is a big deal and there are serious concerns that should be taken seriously, even if they turn out the way he believes they'll turn out. I don't think he should go into it with such a biased view." Bodman, who took office earlier this year, could not say when the investigations would be complete, though he said there was "a sense of urgency" in gathering information. Portions of the e-mails released by a congressional panel chaired by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev. show workers discussed making up data and keeping two sets of figures related to water infiltration at the dumpsite in Nye County. The e-mails were written from 1998 to 2000, mainly by two U.S. Geological Survey employees in Las Vegas. While Bodman has said he was troubled over the release of the e-mails, Porter said Bodman has not cooperated with his subcommittee's investigation. "We called for cooperation; the secretary refused," Porter said. "Was I surprised? Absolutely not. Was I disappointed? Absolutely," Porter said. Subcommittee staffers, who said the Energy Department has not released all the documents being sought, are preparing for a second hearing on the issue and trying to interview the workers at the center of the controversy. The Energy Department plans to seek a license to bury 77,000 metric tons of highly radioactive waste from 39 states at Yucca Mountain. |
