NMC - Nuclear Facts - Nuclear Waste Disposal


n	Clean air benefits
	Nuclear energy avoided carbon dioxide emissions in Minnesota of 2.99 million metric tons of carbon in 2000, and 70 million metric tons since 1971. During 2000, Minnesota's nuclear power units displaced approximately 70,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 41,000 tons of nitrogen oxide.

n	Payment for nuclear fuel disposal
	Since 1983, consumers of electricity from Minnesota's nuclear plants have committed more than $418.9 million into the federal Nuclear Waste Fund to finance nuclear waste management beginning in January 1998. There are 872 metric tons of used nuclear fuel stored in the state.

n	Support for Yucca Mountain
	Minnesota Reps. Gilbert W. Gutknecht, and Jim Ramstad voted in favor of S.1287, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2000, which was approved 253-167 by the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2000. The senate approved S. 1287 by a 63-34 vote in February 2000. Efforts to reform the nation's nuclear waste management program were supported by: * Goodhue County Board * City Councils - Bellechester - Cannon Falls - Lake City - Goodhue - Red Wing - Wanamingo - Zumbrota * Northern States Power Company * Minnesota Public Utilities Commission * Minnesota Department of Public Service * Midwestern Legislative Conference * National Indian Business Association * National Association of Regulatory Utiilities Commissioners * National Association of Counties * U.S. Chamber of Commerce * National Black Chamber of Commerce * U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce * National League of Cities * Council of Citizens Against Government Waste * Association of American Railroads * International Association of Fire Chiefs * Labor Organizations - International Brotherhood of Teamsters - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Utility Workers Union of America - Sheet Metal Workers - International Association of Iron Workers