WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is taking steps to review the planned revival of the long-dormant nuclear waste dump at Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
The nuclear agency says it will spend up to $110,000 from its current budget to gather documents and other information about the Yucca Mountain site. The Trump administration has begun steps to revive the repository site amid bipartisan opposition from Nevada lawmakers.
The nuclear agency said its preliminary activities "will enable efficient, informed decisions" as officials prepare to consider an expected Energy Department application to store spent fuel from the nation's commercial nuclear fleet at the remote site outside Las Vegas.
Republican Sen. Dean Heller called the NRC's action "irresponsible," while Democratic Rep. Dina Titus blasted it as a maneuver to "revive the unworkable Yucca scheme."