Berkley calls on 'nuked-up' Republicans to cease investigation of Yucca Mountain decision

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) on Friday called on House Republicans to stop their investigation into an Obama administration decision to abandon Nevada's Yucca Mountain as a possible site to store nuclear waste.

Speaking on the House floor, Berkley said the GOP investigation is a "political stunt" aimed at turning Nevada into a "nuclear garbage dump."

"Those pushing this review are lying about the dump's safety," Berkley said. "They know Yucca Mountain is smack in the middle of an earthquake zone. There's volcanic activity. There's groundwater issues. Have we learned nothing about what's happening now in Japan?"

Berkley added that the investigation is being prompted by the nuclear industry and aided by its "nuked-up buddies" in Congress.

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday sent questions about the Yucca Mountain decision to the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.