
Texas lawmakers unite against nuclear waste storage in the Permian Basin, challenging federal authority in a bipartisan effort led by Senator Ted Cruz.
At a Glance
- Sen. Ted Cruz leads bipartisan effort to prevent nuclear waste storage in Texas’s Permian Basin
- Supreme Court to hear NRC v. Texas case, questioning federal authority over nuclear waste storage
- Lawmakers argue storage site poses security threat and could impact energy independence
- Case challenges Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing authority under existing laws
- Oral arguments scheduled for early March
Bipartisan Challenge to Federal Authority
Senator Ted Cruz is spearheading a bipartisan effort to prevent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from licensing nuclear waste storage facilities in Texas’s oil-rich Permian Basin. The initiative, which has united Texas lawmakers across party lines, aims to convince the Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling that limits the Commission’s authority in this matter.
The case, known as NRC v. Texas, questions the NRC’s authority to license nuclear waste storage facilities under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 or the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after the Biden administration appealed a Fifth Circuit decision that ruled the NRC lacked the authority to license such facilities.
Security Concerns and Energy Independence
The proposed nuclear waste storage site is located in Andrews County, Texas, within the Permian Basin, a crucial region for oil and gas production. Lawmakers argue that placing a nuclear waste storage facility in this area poses significant security risks and could potentially make the region a target for adversaries.
“The Permian Basin is our nation’s leading oil- and gas-producing region and a critical pillar of America’s energy security,” Senator Cruz said.
The amicus brief filed by the lawmakers criticizes the NRC and involved parties for failing to consider the broader implications of the facility’s location. It emphasizes the importance of energy independence and security, citing both historical and recent events to support their argument.
Bipartisan Support and Local Decision-Making
The effort has garnered support from both sides of the political aisle. Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cueller and Republican Reps. August Pfluger and Ronny Jackson have joined the amicus brief, demonstrating the issue’s importance transcends party lines.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in early March, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for federal authority over nuclear waste storage and local sovereignty in energy-related decisions.