Rep. John Shimkus (R – Ill.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, told reporters Jan. 23 that any agreement over nuclear waste storage would need to have “a connection to Yucca Mountain,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

A vocal supporter of creating a spent fuel storage facility at Yucca Mountain in Nevada, Shimkus faces powerful opposition from numerous fronts, including Senate Majority leader Sen. Harry Reid (D –Nev.).

"We cannot have a serious conversation about solving America’s nuclear waste problems without talking about Yucca Mountain," Shimkus said in a release. "There remains a gaping hole in this implementation plan because President Obama precluded the commission from considering Yucca Mountain in its report. The Blue Ribbon Commission emphasized the need for a long-term storage repository, and Yucca Mountain remains the most viable and thoroughly studied option."

The Obama administration has pulled its support from the development and the NRC subsequently stopped its feasibility study of the project, which has since remained dormant.

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