Commercial Nuclear Waste

Download or read book Commercial Nuclear Waste written by Mark E. Gaffigan and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2011-08 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spent 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.