The bipartisan amicus brief argues the proposed location of nuclear waste sites in Texas poses "an enormous threat to the country’s security and economic well-being."
Interim Storage Partners planned on operating the nuclear storage facility in Andrews County, Texas, a decision that spurred backlash because of the facility's location within the Permian Basin.
"The Permian Basin is our nation’s leading oil- and gas-producing region and a critical pillar of America’s energy security," Cruz told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I support the State of Texas in opposing the NRC’s federal overreach and will keep fighting to ensure West Texas remains the energy power house it is today."
The brief argues that placing the storage facilities near the Permian Basin makes the area "an enticing target for adversaries," therefore threatening the oil-producing region. The brief says neither the parties hoping to operate the facilities nor the NRC are "equipped to consider the broader ramifications" of placing the facilities in the area.
ALASKA LEADERS CHEER TRUMP OIL AND GAS DRILLING EXECUTIVE ORDER
Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cueller and Republican Reps. August Pfluger and Ronny Jackson have also joined Cruz's brief.
"Energy independence is national security, which is why I support the scale-up of all reliable and economical energy sources, including nuclear, to meet our rising energy demand," Arrington said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "However, I will not allow Washington to impose its will on West Texas regarding the temporary disposal of high-level nuclear waste simply because the Nuclear Regulatory Commission can’t — or won’t — finalize permanent storage elsewhere."
Arrington said Texas "and the people of Andrews should make the decision" rather than "some nameless, faceless bureaucrat in Washington, D.C."
The amicus brief states that the location of the waste sites — while "remote" — "present an enormous threat to the country’s security and economic well-being."
The high court is set to hear oral arguments in the case in early March. (Ricky Carioti /The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The high court is set to hear oral arguments in the case in early March.
Haley Chi-Sing is a Writer for Fox News Digital. You can reach her at @haleychising on X.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cruz-spearheads-effort-derail-nuclear-waste-dumping-oil-rich-area-texas