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Information regarding the Pro's and Con's of Nuclear Energy

The Pro's of Yucca Mountain

The Nuclear Energy Independent

The Con's of Yucca Mountain - Greenpeace

Nuclear Fuel: Cradle to Crypt (335k)


Acronyms:

ACNW - Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste

DOE - U.S. Department of Energy

LSN - Licensing Support Network

NAS - National Academy of Sciences

NWTRB -Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

NSNFP - National Spent Nuclear Fuel Program

 

 

Current News

The U.S. Department of Energy submitted an 8,600-page application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission June, 2008 to store nuclear waste underground at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.

A look at what's next for the Energy Department's application to build and operate a national nuclear waste repository in Nevada:

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION: Staff will examine the 8,600-page, 17-volume application to determine if it is complete enough for a full technical review.
DOCKETING: NRC decides sometime from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 whether the commission can docket the case for review. The commission also will determine whether it can adopt a final environmental study on the Yucca Mountain project.
CHALLENGES: Once docketed, the NRC would give prospective hearing participants 30 days to file challenges, or "contentions," to elements of the license request.
PARTICIPANTS: The commission will decide in early 2009 who will participate in hearings before three-member panels of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board administrative law judges at sessions in Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.
HEARINGS: The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 calls for NRC review to take three years, but allows the commission to ask Congress for an additional year.
DECISION: The panels will recommend to the full commission whether the Energy Department should be licensed to proceed with plans for the repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
CONSTRUCTION: Edward F. "Ward" Sproat, the Energy Department's Yucca Mountain project chief, said the earliest Yucca Mountain could open if licensing goes smoothly and funding remains stable would be 2020. He estimated the cost at up to $80 billion.

July 2008

Jul 02: Federal board rebuffs opposition to rail application
Jul 02: So Much Radioactive Waste, So Little Time
Jul 01: Reid says McCain echoes Bush in talk of Yucca Mountain

June 2008

Jun 28: Senator offers alternative for Yucca project
Jun 26: McCain expounds on Yucca
Jun 24: DOE contract for Yucca Mountain attracts attention
Jun 20: Official confident Yucca plan to clear licensing challenges
Jun 18: House panel approves full funding for Yucca
Jun 13: LIKELY VOTERS: Reid lacks luster at home
Jun 07: Firm stays on Yucca Mountain case
Jun 07: GIBBONS CALLS FOR SUMMIT TO ORGANIZE YUCCA FIGHT
Jun 06: Nevada lawmakers claim politics fuels Yucca bid
Jun 05: Nevada files challenge to Yucca license
Jun 04: JOHN L. SMITH: County Commission's slings and arrows add little to anti-Yucca fight
Jun 04: Commissioners plot repository opposition
Jun 04: DOE files to build Yucca

May 2008
May 30: Siberia repository for nuclear waste called 'impractical'
May 29: ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: McCain still backs Yucca plan
May 29: McCain's Yucca talk gets low-key response
May 28: McCain: We may not need Yucca
May 23: Yucca license process weighed
May 20: RADIATION RULES: EPA chief defends Yucca work
May 07: Lawyer reduces role in Yucca Mountain fight
May 03: Feds find glitches in Yucca documentation
May 03: Feds find glitches in Yucca documentation
May 03: State seeks more time for Yucca review
May 01: Yucca corrosion data found to be suspicious

April 2008

Apr 26: Yucca delay may spur interim storage
Apr 24: DOE's complaint against Nevada dismissed
Apr 16: YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Nevada calls plan deficient
Apr 10: Domenici pans Yucca-only approach
Apr 04: Law firm's Yucca pact with DOE criticized

March 2008

Mar 29: YUCCA MOUNTAIN: License challenges could exceed 650
Mar 29: PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: McCain downplays issues
Mar 15: Yucca project veteran promoted
Mar 15: Senate confirms 39 to federal posts
Mar 14: YUCCA MOUNTAIN: DOE: Expect license application after all

February 2008

Feb 29: DOE nuke waste priorities criticized
Feb 28: NEI courts volunteers for interim storage
Feb 27: Nevada told to take Yucca Mountain money
Feb 23: Nuke industry seeks storage sites
Feb 23: Yucca chief sees long-term uncertainty
Feb 20: DOE probing prohibited documents in database
Feb 19:Yucca Mountain Official Puts No Date on Opening
Feb 17: Yucca Mountain e-mails show staff yucked it up
Feb 12: DOE meeting set to seek bids for Yucca program
Feb 08: YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Legislator eyes recycling
Feb 07: Nuclear Waste: Not a Problem
Feb 06: More managers in pipeline for Yucca project
Feb 05: DOE proposes $494.7 million for Yucca Mountain
Feb 05: Yucca Mountain Head Defends '09 Budget Request
Feb 04:President Seeks $495 Million for Yucca Mountain in 2009 Budget

January 2008

Jan 31: Timetable announced for layoffs at Yucca Mountain
Jan 30: Help sought for ex-Yucca workers
Jan 30: Nevada’s congressional delegation discuss Yucca Mountain
Jan 28: A real nowhere bill
Jan26: OPINION - Blame Harry
Jan 25: Republicans sponsor Yucca rescue measure - Bill already dead, Reid promises
Jan 25: Reid to soften unemployment jolt
Jan 25:Reid wants to help displaced Yucca workers find new jobs
Jan 24: Senators try to revive Yucca
Jan 24: Criticism falls on DOE plan for rail line
Jan 21: Nuclear Revival Rekindles Waste Concerns
Jan 24: GOP senators push Yucca storage of nuke waste
Jan 20: 10 years after plant closed, Zion slowly regains its glow
Jan 19: Nuclear Waste Disposal Varies
Jan 19: Waste remains nuke industry's elephant in room
Jan 18: Omissions in Nuclear Waste Scuffle
Jan 18: Yucca. Candidates pander on Nevada's nuclear waste site
Jan 15: More Yucca Mountain Layoffs Ahead, Schedule in Doubt
Jan08: DOE lays off 63 workers

December 2007

Dec 21: Nuclear panel's chief vows objectivity
Dec 20: Yucca Mountain research leaves doubt
Dec 18: Congress cuts 22 percent from project
Dec 14: Yucca pledge turns mushy
Dec 13: Yucca database challenge rejected
Dec 13: Yucca contract to get review by Energy Department
Dec 06: Nevada fights law firm's deal at Yucca site
Dec 06: Yucca licensing documents missing
Dec 04: Reid chases more cuts to Yucca Mountain
Dec 04: Yucca plans draw public's ire
Dec 02: Yucca Mountain rail line hearing set for Monday

November 2007

Nov 28: NRC puts complaint about Yucca on hold
Nov 28: Poll finds Nevada voters strongly oppose Yucca
Nov 15: Yucca engineer defends design of nuclear dump
Nov 10: Cortez Masto seeks to block Yucca license
Nov 07: DOE boosts Yucca team
Nov 28: NRC puts complaint about Yucca on hold
Nov 28: Poll finds Nevada voters strongly oppose Yucca
Nov 15: Yucca engineer defends design of nuclear dump
Nov 10: Cortez Masto seeks to block Yucca license
Nov 07: DOE boosts Yucca team
Nov 01: Yucca project debated anew

October 2007

Oct 31: Presidential hopefuls try to 'out-Yucca' one another
Oct 30: ENERGY DEPARTMENT COLLECTION: Database on Yucca challenged
Oct 27: Boxer invites Gibbons to speak about Yucca
Oct 26: Nuclear trade group plans to open office in Nevada
Oct 25: Gibbons says he was snubbed by Yucca Mountain Senate panel
Oct 25: Limits on waste at Yucca deflected
Oct 20: Key Yucca documents posted
Oct 19: Utilities unsure about nuclear waste canisters
Oct 18: Yucca hearing set, fulfilling Clinton campaign promise
Oct 17: State says safety at risk
Oct 07: Study details scope of rail project needed for Yucca
Oct 05: DOE: Enlarge repository
Oct 01: Clinton call for Yucca hearing unfulfilled
Oct 01: Company awarded millions in nuclear storage lawsuit

Septemeber 2007

Sep 26: Yucca review board in dark
Sep 24: Yucca fault line might spring surprise
Sep 21: Judge refuses to stop Yucca water use
Sep 14: DOE vows battle over water use
Sep 14: 'Bait and switch' intentions denied for Yucca site
Sep 14: Judges refuse to rule on document access
Sep 13: Officials suspect 'bait and switch' on Yucca
Sep 13: Second Yucca Mountain contractor announces plans for worker layoffs
Sep 12: Company preparing layoffs
Sep 11: Nevada considered for new type of nuke waste
Sep 11: State presses DOE on use of water
Sep 07: Water use, drilling go on
Sep 06: State notifies DOE

August 2007

Aug 1: State files court papers to halt Yucca Mountain water use
Aug 1: DOE evaluating media consultants

July 2007

Jul 31: Federal agency ignoring state ban on water use for Yucca Mountain
Jul 30: Yucca rail estimated at more than $3b
Jul 19: Miffed backers of Goshute nuclear storage sue Interior Department
Jul 17: Initiative would lift nuclear plant moratorium in California
Jul 17: Hot topic: Recycling spent nuclear fuel
Jul 7: Nye County envisions Gateway entry to Yucca
Jul 7: PETT peeve

June 2007

Jun 20: Yucca Mountain team may have to stop using state water
Jun 28: Nuke director sees Yucca Mtn. as safe
Jun 27: Waste site request cut
Jun 21: Attempt at Yucca budget cut fails
Jun 21: House pans Yucca Internet strategy
Jun 20: Surface storage outlined
Jun 16: Experts doubt new schedule for carving Yucca Mountain
Jun 14: Water use faces challenge
Jun 4: Yucca dump on back burner
Jun 4: Expert sees little concern with waste at Yucca

May 2007

May 8: ReviewJournal.com - News - YUCCA MOUNTAIN RAIL LINE: Reid steps in, sways tribe

April 2007

Additional Yucca Mountain Documents Made Available on NRC’s Licensing Support Network to Facilitate Yucca Mountain Licensing Proceeding (pdf)

DOE awards contracts to assess Yucca Mountain Quality Assurance Program and Review Draft License Application(pdf)

Nevada Legislature - New report issued January 2007 - Committee on High-Level Radioactive Waste

The purpose of this report is to provide information on: (1) recent developments in the Federal Nuclear Waste Program affecting the Yucca Mountain Project; (2) the activities of the Committee on High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLRW); (3) the activities of State and local government oversight organizations; and, (4) the history of the Federal Nuclear Waste program including Nevada's involvement in the Yucca Mountain Project.

New nuclear power ‘wave’ — or just a ripple? How millions for lobbying, campaigns helped fuel U.S. industry's big plans


The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued for public comment two Draft National Environmental Policy Act documents related to the Yucca Mountain Project. The 90-day comment period began on October 12, 2007 and ended January 10, 2008. The following are the DOE documents and comments to those documents.

Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (Draft Repository SEIS)

Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada – Nevada Rail Transportation Corridor (Draft Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Rail Alignment for the Construction and Operation of a Railroad in Nevada to a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada

(Draft Rail Alignment EIS)

Requests for additional information on the Draft Repository SEIS and the Draft Nevada Rail Corridor SEIS and Draft Rail Alignment EIS may be submitted to the EIS Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, 1551 Hillshire Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134 or by calling 1-800-967-3477 or faxing a request to 1-800-967-0739.  Written comments may be submitted to the EIS Office at the above address, or by facsimile to 1-800-967-0739, or via the Internet at: http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov.

The following are copies of the comments from the State of Nevada and the offices of the Esmeralda County Repository Oversight Program, Eureka, Mineral, Churchill and Lander counties.

State of Nevada - State of Nevada comments on DOE Draft Yucca Mountain Repository Supplemental EIS (pdf-1.05M)

State of Nevada - State of Nevada Comments on DOE's Draft Nevada Rail Corridor Supplemental EIS and Draft Rail Alignment EIS (pdf-274k)

January 2008 - Esmeralda County Comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada (SEIS) DOE/EIS-0250F-S2D and Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Rail Alignment for the Construction and the Operation of a Railroad in Nevada to a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada, DOE/EIS-0369D (the DIES).

Eureka County comments

Mineral County comments

Churchill County comments

Lander County comments

Information from DOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management

The Department of Energy is currently preparing a license application for submittal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The license application will be accompanied by DOE’s Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Geological Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada, in support of receiving construction authorization and, ultimately, a license to receive and possess waste.

State of Nevada information - Why Does the State Oppose Yucca Mountain?

Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects - February 28, 2007

 

Some information about OCRWM (leaving this site)
OCRWM Organization Chart
Office of Quality Assurance

Some information about the State of Nevada's Office of Nuclear Projects (leaving this site)

State of Nevada - Petition to the NRC to Reject DOE's Yucca Mountain License Application as Unauthorized and Substantially Incomplete (pdf-61K)

US Congress
- Letter from the Nevada Congressional Delegation to the NRC expressing deep concern about the DOE's License Application for Yucca Mountain (pdf-306K)

Holtec International - DOE'S Muddled Mission On The TAD Program (pdf-128K)

 
Egan, Fitzpatrick, Malsch & Cynkar - DOE's Misuse of Expert Elicitation in the Yucca Mountain Licensing Process (pdf-344K)
State of Nevada - State of Nevada Comments on DOE Draft Environmental Assessment for Proposed Infrastructure Improvements for the Yucca Mountain Project (pdf-170K)
State of Nevada - Court Decision a Mixed Bag for Nevada - Robert Loux (pdf-46K)

Link to information from MSNBC - clicking on these links will take you to their website - please return for more information

Video: Debate over nuclear neighbor
Interactive: How a nuclear plant works
Test your knowledge of all things nuclear

Las Vegas Review Journal

Las Vegas Sun

Eye Witness News channel 8

CBS News

MSN News

The White House

Inform

DOE - Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste - OCRWM in the News Nuclear energy nearing revival

Nevada seeks to nix govt nuclear waste storage plan

Democrats likely will block Yucca Mountain

US reactors should store nuclear waste -regulator

Yucca Mountain Project Update January 16, 2008
(Note: This information has been updated - to view new schedule click here)

Presented to the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

E. F. Sproat - Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management US DOE
Milestones
Design for License Application Complete - Nov 2007 - Actual: Completed 12/1/07
LSN Certification - Dec 2007 - Actual: Oct. 2007
Supplemental EIS - May 2008 - Actual: Draft Issued October 2007/Hearings completed
License Application Submittal - June 2008 - on schedule as of January 1, 2008 (impact of $108M FY 08 appropriations reduction currently being evaluated

Start nevada Rail Construction - Oct 2009 - delayed - inadequate funding to proceed with design

YM Construction Authorization - Sept 2011 - Best achievable date
Operating License Submittal - March 2013 - predicated on funding and construction schedule
Rail Line Operational -June 2014 - 2016 is achievable only if adequate funding is provided
Begin Receipt - March 2017 (best achievable date) currently under evaluation due to FY 07 and 08 actual funding shortfalls - firm date can't be set until funding issue resolved

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