Feb. 26

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is claiming victory in his battle to stop the federal government from building a nuclear waste repository in his state.

Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said President Barack Obama will announce plans today for disposing of waste from the nation´s nuclear plants without depositing it at the planned Yucca Mountain repository in Nevada. The plans will be outlined in Obama´s 2010 budget plan.

"President Obama has made a critical first step toward fulfilling his promise to end the Yucca Mountain project, and I could not be happier for the people of Nevada," Reid said. "Make no mistake. This represents a significant and lasting victory in our battle to protect Nevada from becoming the country´s toxic wasteland."

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com

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