National PTA, in a June 8 letter, asked Senators to oppose S.J. Resolution 34, which would override the Nevada governor's veto of the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Project. National PTA has a long-standing resolution that supports hazardous waste management practices that protect the health and safety of children and that provides communities with health and safety information regarding the transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes. However, National PTA believes many unanswered questions about the Yucca Mountain Project put children, families, and communities at potential risk.

Nuclear waste shipments to Yucca Mountain would span nearly 40 years, with approximately 2,760 shipments per year. Nuclear waste would travel through at least 44 states by truck, barge, or train, going through more than 100 cities with populations of 100,000 or greater. Given that the number of shipments per year to Yucca is far greater than the approximately 70 shipments that occur annually now, the potential for accidents is expanded exponentially and children are at higher risk for radiation exposure.

Government estimates are that more than 123 million people live near the potential highway routes, and 106 million live in counties along potential rail routes. Up to 77,000 tons of nuclear waste will go to the site. Of particular concern to National PTA is the health and safety of children who live in these communities. Unanswered questions include:

National PTA recommended that a federally initiated public awareness campaign to inform communities about transportation routes and safety plans be fully developed and activated before Congress approves the project.

On July 9, the Senate voted 60-39 to proceed with a vote on the measure, which was then adopted by voice vote. Under the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act, governors may veto a president's request to send nuclear waste to their state, which the Nevada governor did. The Senate vote allows the Department
of Energy to ignore the governor's veto and work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to seek a license to use the Yucca Mountain site.

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