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Casino Industry Eyes Arrival of Nuclear Waste11 July 2002LAS VEGAS – As reported by the Reno Gazette Journal: “Nevada’s lifeblood tourism industry can continue to prosper if forced to coexist with the nation’s nuclear waste being stored 90 miles away at Yucca Mountain — if no accidents occur, casino executives said Wednesday. ”A Senate vote Tuesday moved 77,000 tons of highly radioactive waste closer to an underground storage facility under construction in the desert miles northwest of Las Vegas. But gambling companies who helped finance the 20-year campaign against the federal government’s plan don’t see it as a crippling blow to the multibillion-dollar industry that helps pay the state’s bills. ”…`It’s important to remember that a massive amount of nuclear waste exists in states where there is significant tourism, like Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois, to name a few,’ said Alan Feldman, an executive at MGM Mirage Inc., the largest operator of Las Vegas Strip hotels. ”…Opinions were mixed on the Las Vegas Strip about whether the nuclear waste dump would scare tourists away. ”`I’m not sure about immediately,’ said Isaias Martinez, 26, of Plainview, Texas, a guest at the Stardust hotel-casino. `But if they have a leak or an accident, you know, a human mistake, I’d think twice. I wouldn’t bring my family here.’ ”Brian Guy, 35, a construction worker from Monroe, Mich., said the site would have little effect on his decision to visit Las Vegas because of its distance from the city. ”…If Yucca Mountain passes legal and regulatory hurdles, tunnels below the ancient volcanic ridge would begin accepting radioactive material from sites in 39 states in 2010. ”…Nevada has five lawsuits pending against elements of the federal government’s plan to ship radioactive waste from 103 nuclear reactors and more than 30 other commercial, industrial and military sites across the nation…” |