 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 5 * March 15, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Richardson promises better attention to county concerns
In his remarks, Richardson addressed three issues of direct concern to counties: electric utility restructuring, alternative fuels and disposal of nuclear waste. The Administration, he said, is expected to introduce federal electric restructuring legislation in six weeks. The legislation will allow states and counties to opt out of competition if it doesn’t benefit their consumers. Alternative fuel vehicles have proven to be a boon to many counties, Richardson pointed out, reciting a litany of counties that have successfully integrated alternative fueled vehicles into their fleets. But he remained circumspect on the question of whether the Energy Department will mandate that local governments reserve a certain portion of their fleets for alternative fueled vehicles. Likewise, Richardson shed little light on the issue of where the nation will store, as he put it, "the environmental legacy of the Cold War," spent nuclear fuel. Scientific studies are continuing on schedule for the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. The decision on whether the site is suitable will be made by 2001. |
