Reid working to save the country from the disaster that is yucca mountain

Nevada senator rises to top leadership slot _ again

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Democratic Nevada Sen. Harry Reid says he's certain to emerge as Senate majority leader even though a key race remains uncalled Wednesday - and getting the top job will have major benefits for his home state.

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Asked to list potential benefits to Nevada now that he's in line for the top job in the Senate, Reid said he'll oppose future funding for the federal government's proposed nuclear waste dump northwest of Las Vegas. That project already has cost about $9 billion but is years away from completion.

Reid said he viewed the project as dead anyway, given the many delays it has faced, adding, "There's not much to kill." But he said any new funding plans for the dump would be "cut back significantly for sure" while alternatives, such as dry-cask storage elsewhere, would be pursued.

(Las Vegas Sun)