Articles

  With the House of Representatives taking up debate on the annual Energy and Water Appropriations bill, Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today offered an amendment to the bill that would redirect the $25 million designated for the Yucca Mountain project into the High Energy Physics program within the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Rep. Heck spoke on the House floor to urge his colleagues to support the amendment. Clickhere to see a short video of Rep. Heck's remarks.

The High Energy Physics program is currently researching and developing ways to use accelerator technology to reduce the toxicity of nuclear waste, transforming it into a more stable, less hazardous form. According to the Department of Energy, the Office of Science "directly supports scientists, engineers, and students at nearly 300 leading academic institutions spanning all 50 States and the District of Columbia." Both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno have received competitive grants from the Office of Science in the past.

The text of Congressman Heck's  floor remarks, as prepared for delivery, are attached.

###