Congressional Panel Supports Nevada Nuclear Waste Site

Danielle Jackson

Washington, D.C. -- A Congressional panel voted 24-2 Tuesday to override Nevada's objection to building a nuclear waste disposal site at Yucca Mountain, located about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

President George W. Bush decided in February to approve the project, which calls for the Yucca Mountain facility to accept 77,000 tons of nuclear waste for 24 years, beginning in 2010.

A full committee is expected to approve the pro-Yucca resolution later this week, and a floor vote is expected in the Republican-controlled House next week. If passed, the resolution would move to the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats who are opposed to the site.