Frelinghuysen votes to allow importation of radioactive waste

by: Jason Springer

Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 03:30:00 PM EST

The House voted on HR 515 yesterday, the Radioactive Import Deterrence Act:

To prohibit the importation of certain low-level radioactive waste into the United States

Sounds like a good idea, right? Here's why the bill is needed:

Currently, a permit is pending with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to import 20,000 tons of Italian low-level radioactive waste for disposal in the United States. This would be the largest importation ever of foreign-generated radioactive waste. Permits to import and dispose radioactive waste from Mexico and Brazil are also pending. If these permits are approved, the nuclear waste shipments would be sent to Tennessee for processing and later disposed in Utah.

According to the bill sponsor, we are the only nation in the world that accepts nuclear waste from countries for disposal. Well 111 Republicans decided to vote against the bill and want to keep importing nuclear waste. While Scott Garrett normally joins them, even he voted with the majority to prohibit on this one. Rodney Frelinghuysen on the other hand, was the only member of the NJ delegation to oppose the measure.Here's what the DCCC said about the opposition:

The Radioactive Import Deterrence (RID) Act (H.R. 515) would prevent foreign-generated radioactive waste from being imported for processing and disposal in the U.S. If those 111 Republicans had their way, America could become a dumping ground for other nations' radioactive nuclear waste. Instead of protecting Americans from the dangers of nuclear waste, Republicans including Michele Bachmann (MN-06), John Boehner (OH-08), and Pete Sessions (TX-32) voted to put corporate interests ahead of the health and safety of America's families.

Why would Rodney vote against prohibiting the importation of radioactive waste?

Jason Springer :: Frelinghuysen votes to allow importation of radioactive waste