©2026 League of Conservation Voters
1979 Scorecard Vote
217
161
54
Issues
HR 2608. Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorizations. The vote is on the Bingham amendment to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to report to Congress on which operating reactors were in compliance with which specific safety regulations. The NRC was also required to supply a list of generic safety issues and problems which afflict many reactors. Since the NRC has added enormously to its list of safety requirements in recent years, many plants built earlier are not in compliance, and widespread ÒgrandfatheringÓ procedures have allowed plants less than 5 years old to fall 10 to 15 years behind current safety standards. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission testified that it supported the intent of the amendment but thought that the 120 day deadline imposed by the Congress was unrealistic. It did not have the information required and it would take 33 people working the entire 120 days to get it together. The passage of this amendment represents a major victory for environmentalists, and provided them with much needed information to embarrass the nuclear industry and to press safety reforms. Adopted 217-161. November 29, 1979. Yes is the correct vote.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters