Senate OKs Nuclear Dump Bill

The Senate gave final approval today to legislation that would require the selection of a site for the nation’s first permanent nuclear waste dump by January, 1989--five years ahead of the current schedule--and virtually assures that a reluctant Nevada will be the site.

Senators voted 86 to 9 to adopt the measure, overriding objections from legislators who said two more years of scientific studies were needed to make sure the most environmentally suitable of three final sites is chosen. Opponents also charged the legislation contained “code language”--restrictive provisions--that would guarantee the selection of Yucca Mountain, Nev., over the two other finalist sites at Hanford, Wash., and Deaf Smith County, Tex.