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SJR 7

Naming and Designating - Designates Sunday, February 2, 2025, and the first Sunday in February thereafter "Four Chaplains Day." -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Nevada urges federal leaders to recognize Yucca Mountain as unsuitable for a national nuclear waste repository, seeking a federal reconsideration.

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Bill Summary · SJR 7

Summary — SJR 7 (BDR R-945)

Title: Urges the Federal Government to recognize the unsuitability of Yucca Mountain as the site for a repository to store and dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.

Main purpose

SJR 7 is a joint resolution of the Nevada Legislature formally urging the President, Congress and relevant federal agencies to recognize that Yucca Mountain is an unsuitable site for a national repository for spent nuclear fuel and high‑level radioactive waste. It sets out technical, safety, economic and logistical concerns and requests federal reconsideration of Yucca Mountain as the chosen site.

Key provisions

  • States the Legislature’s findings and concerns about Yucca Mountain, including geological, hydrological, seismic and hydrothermal risks; the site’s being above (not below) the water table; and the Department of Energy’s increasing reliance on engineered barriers rather than geologic isolation.
  • Identifies socio‑economic and transportation concerns: potential negative impacts on Nevada’s tourism economy (noting ~$91 billion in statewide tourism activity and ~386,000 jobs in 2022), a 2002 Agency for Nuclear Projects estimate of up to $5.5 billion annual economic loss, and the fact that waste would originate at more than 70 sites across 35 states and, if shipped, could affect at least 44 states and 703 counties.
  • Expressly urges: President of the United States, Congress and federal agencies to “recognize the unsuitability of Yucca Mountain” for storage/disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high‑level waste.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Nevada Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to the President, Vice President (as presiding officer of the Senate), Speaker of the House, the Secretary of Energy and Nevada’s congressional delegation.
  • Declares the resolution effective upon passage.

Findings and rationale included in the text

  • Asserts the 2002 designation was premature and ignored Nevada objections and certain geologic isolation requirements.
  • Notes DOE paused federal funding in April 2011; cites renewed federal interest in 2024 hearings.
  • Emphasizes availability of “safe, economical dry storage” at existing reactor sites and asserts there is no current emergency requiring Yucca Mountain’s opening.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Nevada state government and residents (positioning/advocacy).
  • Potentially affected stakeholders called out: the Department of Energy, the U.S. Congress, the President, communities along potential transportation routes, tourism and agricultural sectors in Nevada, and operators of reactor sites nationwide.
  • Practical effect: non‑binding; it expresses Nevada’s official position and seeks to influence federal decision‑makers but does not impose legal obligations on the federal government.

Procedural/timeline aspects and fiscal impact

  • Prefiled/introduced in early 2025 (prefiled Feb. 3, 2025 in the enrolled version). Legislative history shows committee referrals and floor action during 2025.
  • Status reported: enrolled and delivered to Secretary of State (File No. 18); effective upon passage.
  • Fiscal note: the resolution states “Effect on Local Government: No. Effect on the State: No.” — no direct fiscal impact.

Practical effect

SJR 7 is a formal state-level statement urging federal reconsideration of Yucca Mountain. It is primarily political/advocacy in nature and does not change federal law or stop federal licensing or programmatic action by itself.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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