Yucca Mountain

Ariz. Sen. John McCain discusses energy policy at UNLV Wednesday.: Politicker Photo.LAS VEGAS - There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as presumptive Republican nominee John McCain spoke about clean energy at the University of Nevada Las Vegas today.  McCain's comments, in theme, imagery, rhetoric and even choice of props, were almost identical to a speech presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama made just yesterday at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.

That is not to say, however, that either candidate is "copying" the other.  Rather, the nearly identical events reflect an acknowledgement by both campaigns of the political importance of energy issues and a determination by both sides to stake a claim on them in this battleground state.

Like Obama, McCain outlined a plan that would expand federal investment in renewable and clean energy, regulate oil futures markets, increase fuel efficiency and give tax breaks to consumers. 

Although many of their goals and rhetoric were the same, the candidates differed on how they approached the issue, however, with both positioning themselves on territory where they are viewed more favorably. 

John McCain today announced an energy proposal that includes the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants. Hmmm, I wonder where all of that nuclear waste will go.

This is his third straight day of campaigning on the energy issue, and he has also pushed funding research to make clean coal technology actually clean.

You can read the full story here. The Obama response was that this is four more years of failed Bush policies, which is Obama's response to all things McCain.

The TV news networks are all claiming that Nevada is a toss-up state come November's election. But can McCain overcome his position on Yucca Mountain to win?

U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Boulder City).LAS VEGAS -- Facing probably the toughest reelection campaign of his career, U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Boulder City) took some time last week to answer PolitickerNV.com's questions about the state of his race, his opponent and the man heading up the Republican ticket this fall.

LAS VEGAS-Following the Department of Energy's filing of a license application this morning for the spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada's congressional delegation released a joint press release condemning the project and vowing to continue fighting against it.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the head of the delegation, said that the license application was "supposed to be filed years ago" and is "shoddy at best."

"The application, which includes designs that are only 35% complete, lacks critical information that cannot simply be overlooked," said Reid.  "For example, just how would the Energy Department respond in the event of an emergency?  We can't answer that question because the Department doesn't even know. "

RENO-In U.S. Sen. John McCain's town hall meeting Wednesday, the first question he took from the crowd was on Yucca Mountain and nuclear power.  McCain repeated his support for Yucca Mountain with qualifications and as well as his hope for an international nuclear waste repository and expanding nuclear fuel reprocessing.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) shakes hands after a town hall meeting in Reno Wednesday.: Politicker Photo.RENO-Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain returned to Nevada today, hosting a town hall meeting for a crowd of about 800 at the Truckee Meadows Boys and Girls Club in Reno. Although McCain brought the crowd to its feet several times during the course of the meeting, several attendees expressed reservations about a McCain presidency before, during and after his appearance.

"I would support him over the other two, I'll put it that way," said Ben Engel of Reno while the crowd awaited McCain.

After being introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), McCain committed to campaigning in Nevada and predicted the state would go for him in November.