Yesterday, we reported that the Department of Energy agreed to remove the half-metric ton of plutonium in southern Nevada it transported late last year.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto put a hold on confirming nominees for the DOE, so Secretary of Energy Rick Perry called her to discuss why.
"We had a really cordial conversation but I said I have concerns about the plutonium and I want commitments," Cortez Masto says. "And I want the commitments in writing. Because if you're not the Secretary of Energy tomorrow, someone else will be. And I want something in writing to commemorate your commitment to the state of Nevada, and the Department of Energy's commitment."
Cortez Masto says as part of the agreement, the DOE will not ship any more plutonium to Nevada in the future. They plan to start transporting the plutonium from Nevada to New Mexico in 2021, and plan to finish by 2026.
In the meantime, Cortez Masto plans on making sure the site is safe while the plutonium is here.
"I still want to ensure that plutonium, that storage where it is right now temporarily is safe and it's not a safety issue for the people of Nevada or the state of Nevada," Cortez Masto says. "So Jacky Rosen and I will be joining Secretary Perry on May 10th, and we will be going out and visiting the site."
