Bennett pushes measure that would require congressional OK of N-tests

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Posted: 10:32 PM- WASHINGTON - Sen. Bob Bennett has reintroduced legislation that would prohibit nuclear testing without the approval of Congress and require extensive review before such tests could go forward.

Bennett, R-Utah, has failed to get the same bill through the previous two sessions of Congress but says the goal of the legislation is still to prevent any further testing without prior approval.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is sponsoring similar legislation in the House, though neither bill is as yet scheduled for a committee hearing.

The measure, co-sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says the White House must get permission from Congress before resuming nuclear detonations at the Nevada Test Site or elsewhere, though Bennett notes there have been no proposals to restart such tests.

"While the current administration does not have plans to resume testing, Utahns want greater assurances against the policies of a future administration," Bennett said.

"I do not think nuclear testing will ever be necessary, given computer technology advancements, but this legislation provides a safety net by requiring congressional approval, an open process with significant public involvement, and extensive environmental and safety analysis."

Nuclear testing is a hot-button issue in Utah and surrounding states all of which experienced some level of radioactive fallout from the Cold War-era tests in Nevada.

Bennett's bill says that if the administration asks and Congress approves renewed testing, the secretary of the Energy Department must provide public notice of the test, shall notify the public if any radiation is released and shall hold a town hall meeting in southern Utah after each explosion.

It also establishes a nine-member commission - with three of the members coming from Utah - to oversee the safety, health and air quality concerns at the Nevada Test Site. And it requires the National Academy of Sciences to study the health and safety precautions currently at the Nevada Test Site.

tburr@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">tburr@sltrib.com