WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham issued the following statement today reacting to multiple decisions reached by the U.S. Court of Appeals regarding Yucca Mountain:

“I am pleased with today’s decisions handed down by the Court. The Court dismissed all challenges to the site selection of Yucca Mountain. Our scientific basis for the Yucca Mountain Project is sound. The project will protect the public health and safety.

“The Court rejected the State of Nevada’s challenge to the constitutionality of the resolution approving Yucca Mountain and dismissed the state’s petition attacking the actions of the Administration that lead to the passage of that resolution by Congress.

“While the Court did not question the scientific validity of the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards, it did vacate one aspect of the standard, the 10,000 year compliance period. Therefore, DOE will be working with the EPA and Congress to determine appropriate steps to address this issue.”

Media contact:  Joe Davis, 202/586-4940