We must get control of nuclear-waste storage

I recently saw a TV news program with the Mayor of Zion expressing his concern about the problem of two shutdown ComEd/Excelon nuclear reactors in his district and accumulation of metal canisters containing radioactive spent fuel rods. Nuclear electric generating plants were designed with a 40-year life. Some plant lives were extended with modern modifications. Utilities were to provide funding reserves to pay for their decommissioning. Where are these funds? Were they considered additional profits when Excelon acquired ComEd or did ComEd use them when denied a rate increase? It should not become a burden on current users since they paid the cost in previous rates.

Millions of tax dollars have been spent constructing radioactive nuclear waste repositories across the country but have not been fully utilized for political reasons. Particularly, Yucca Mountain in Nevada, which was supposed to begin receiving nuclear waste in 1998. Politicians, especially Sen. Harry Reid, have campaigned for votes on the theme, "Not in my back yard."

This problem cannot be ignored and must be addressed before it becomes a problem for the entire nation. We can count on the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to do their part, but is that enough?

Clayton W. Brown

Kildeer