The American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Las Vegas business community have called on members of the US House of Representatives to reject a proposal designed to revive licensing activities for Yucca Mountain as the nation’s nuclear waste repository. H.R. 3053, the “Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017,” is scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives this week.

In their letter to congressional leaders, the business leaders wrote: “Safety and security remain a top priority for all Americans and any problems with the transport of more than 110,000 metric tons of nuclear waste to the site throughout the country, or issues with its storage there, would bring potentially devastating consequences to the local, state and national communities.  Moreover, with taxes on Nevada’s tourism industry providing 42 per cent of the state general fund, even a modest decline in visitors’ perception about the region could have severe negative implications for the state’s economy and future growth.”

They added: “We stand with the many concerned citizens, small business operators and bipartisan members of the Nevada delegation in staunch opposition to any attempt to restart the repository licensing process and will work tirelessly to ensure that radioactive waste is never stored anywhere near the world’s entertainment capital in Las Vegas.

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. Commented: “Some in Congress and the federal government continue to advance the short-sighted notion that the entirety of the nation’s nuclear waste should be transported over hundreds of miles through the heart of the country to a site a short drive from the Las Vegas city limits, and its 2.1 million residents and employees. It is particularly disappointing that Congress would use federal power to attempt to compel Nevada to house nuclear waste over the objections of the bipartisan congressional delegation, the Governor, businesses, and citizens across the Silver State.”

The letter was signed by the American Gaming Association, the Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, MGM Resorts International, William Hill US, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and Penn National Gaming.