GOP toughens nuclear dump opposition

Fearing campaign accusations that the GOP is soft on Yucca Mountain, the state convention Saturday toughened its opposition to building a nuclear waste dump in Nevada.

The original plank recommended by the platform committee called for a balance between public and private interests and research into ways of recycling nuclear waste other than burying it. It also said that, if the waste comes to Nevada, the state should get paid handsomely.

Delegates including Becky Maddox of Clark County objected, saying that's too soft.

"It looks like we're weakening our position, that for money, Nevada will do it," she said.

Nye County's James Williams said when it was suggested the state could get money from the dump, "Some of them in here were literally rubbing their hands together."

He said Nevada has to stand tough against the dump and not look at possibly earning money by taking the waste.

Other delegates said their fear is that the Democrats would use that plank to attack Republican candidates.

"Our enemies will say the Republicans are waffling on nuclear waste," said Dave Niedert of Washoe County's delegation.

In fact, Democrats have already raised the issue, questioning Ensign's influence with George W. Bush who they say has waffled on the dump issue.

Between Thursday afternoon when the plank was adopted and Saturday morning, they raised support to strengthen the plank. Rep. Jim Gibbons made it clear in his morning speech he believes the state must present a strong, united front to stop the waste from coming to Nevada.

The platform committee rewrote the plank in a Saturday morning meeting, adding: "We adamantly oppose the storage of nuclear waste in Nevada."

And it clarified the recycling issue to make it clear science should find a way to neutralize or recycle nuclear waste rather than bury it, if possible.

It still includes language saying the state and Nye County should get funding and significant input in how the dump is managed if the waste comes to Nevada. Supporters of that language said it doesn't mean Nevada's opposition is softening, only that, "we ought to have a plan B."

The beefed up language was strongly supported on the floor of the convention.

Platform Committee Chairman Lynn Hettrick of Gardnerville said the major candidates believe that will strip away any ammunition the Democrats could have gotten from the original language.