Nevadans showed will to overcome

February 5, 2010
Over the years, countless Nevadans have joined the fight to stop the nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain. Thanks to their persistence, and Nevada's partnership with President Obama, Yucca Mountain is dead.
This week, the president submitted his budget for 2011, which calls for the elimination of all funds for Yucca Mountain and the withdrawal of the license application to build the dump. The Department of Energy also took the first step toward pulling the license application.
For more than 20 years, the nuclear energy industry and its advocates have been trying to force on Nevada dangerous nuclear waste. They wanted to haul nuclear waste past parks, schools and small businesses, unnecessarily putting millions of Americans at risk. But because we had allies like Sen. Richard Bryan, Govs. Bob Miller and Kenny Guinn, Bob Loux, Bruce Breslow, activists like Judy Treichel, Jenna Morton, Jane Feldman and Peggy Maze Johnson, and members of Nevada's congressional delegation, Yucca is dead.
Thank you to everyone again for all you've done to keep Nevada from becoming the nation's dumping ground. This is proof that no matter how big the challenge, Nevadans have the will and strength to overcome.
Harry Reid
U.S. senator, Nevada
Washington, D.C.