Commercial Nuclear Waste: Effects of a Termination of the Yucca Mountain Repository Program and Lessons LearnedSpent nuclear fuel -- considered very hazardous -- is accumulating at commercial reactor sites in 33 states. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 directs the Dept. of Energy (DoE) to dispose of this waste in a repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In June 2008, DoE submitted a license application for the repository, but in March 2010 moved to withdraw it. However, the NRC or the courts could compel DoE to resume the licensing process. This report examines: (1) the basis for DoE's decision to terminate the Yucca Mountain program; (2) the termination steps DoE has taken and their effects; (3) the major impacts if the repository were terminated; and (4) the principal lessons learned. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report. |
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According to DOE addition agency Blue Ribbon Commission budget Comments commercial nuclear commercial spent nuclear Congressional contractor costs Department of Energy develop documents DOE and NRC DOE’s decision Energy Appendix Environmental equipment example fiscal year 2010 former DOE officials former OCRWM geologic repository government officials Hanford Site high-level waste implement interviewed inventory issues Licensing Board million Mountain repository program Nevada NRC officials NRC’s Atomic Safety Nuclear Energy nuclear power Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Waste Fund nuclear waste management Nuclear Waste Policy NWPA Nye County on-site storage operating organizations permanent repository potential power reactors Radioactive Waste reactor sites reprocessing risk assessment Safety and Licensing Sandia National Laboratories Secretary of Energy September 30 spent nuclear fuel staff stakeholders terminate the Yucca Washington waste and spent waste management efforts Waste Policy Act WIPP withdraw its license Yucca Mountain program Yucca Mountain project Yucca Mountain repository