The Senate vote effectively clears the way for the U.S. Energy Department to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to license the $58 billion project. The facility is scheduled to open in 2010 and hold 77,000 tons (70,000 metric tonnes) of radioactive material that the Environmental Protection Agency says must be isolated for 10,000 years.

The resolution passed the Senate on a voice vote after clearing a procedural hurdle, 60-39.

Fifteen Democrats joined 45 Republicans in approving a pivotal motion to consider the resolution. Three Republicans and one independent joined 35 Democrats in opposing it.

There are about 100 nuclear power plants across the country. Spent fuel from these plants is highly radioactive and is stored at 131 sites in 39 states. Many storage tanks are nearly full and the government has faced lawsuits for failing to meet a 1998 deadline to open a permanent storage site.

"Now more than ever, we need Yucca Mountain," declared Sen. Frank Murkowski, an Alaskan Republican.

NOT IN MY STATE

Nevada filed federal lawsuits to try to stop the project before and after Bush accepted a recommendation by U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham in February to build the facility in the state.

Abraham says $4 billion in studies over the past 20 years have found Yucca Mountain to be a safe site.

"We need to move ahead," he said after Tuesday's vote. "We need nuclear energy to supply America with energy security - 20 percent of our electricity is generated by nuclear power."

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn declared in a statement this week, "Now the process moves to the federal courts where the playing field is level and Nevada's factual, scientific arguments will be heard by impartial judges..... We are highly confident."

Guinn in April vetoed Bush's decision to put the nuclear dump in his state. Under the 1982 nuclear law, a governor may veto a president's decision to put a nuclear waste repository in his or her state. But the veto can be overridden by Congress with a majority vote in each chamber.

Opponents, including a number of environmental groups, argue Yucca Mountain and shipments of nuclear waste to it would provide an inviting target for terrorists.

But backers, who include many of the nation's top businesses, contend it would be safer to have the waste in one site rather than scattered at facilities nationwide.

Some senators who voted for the project admitted they did so because they feared that if it was killed, nuclear waste would be sent or left in their states.

As Sen. Robert Bennett, a Utah Republican, put it: "Given the choice.... I would rather have the waste go through Utah than to Utah."

NOT DEFEATED YET

Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid of Nevada, who has helped lead the charge against the project, refused to concede defeat.

"If they think this is the end they are sadly mistaken," said Reid, noting he could still oppose funding and planned to assist in his state's lawsuits.

Leading proponents argued Congress needed to approve Yucca Mountain or begin all over again with what has been more than a two-decade-old process to find a site.

Such a delay would be a big blow to the nuclear industry, which has long sought a permanent disposal facility, as well as the federal government, which has promised to deliver one.

"If not now, when in the world are we going to do it? ... And if not in this place, where?" Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican, asked in urging approval.