The last twelve months at Yucca Mountain

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:145630

Gertz, C P; Robison, A C ^[1]

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1. DOE, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

The US DOE is evaluating Yucca Mountain in Nevada to determine if the site would be a safe location for a high-level radioactive waste repository. As mandated by Congress, the DOE must study the geology, hydrology, environment and other factors to predict whether a geologic repository about 305 meters (1,000 feet) below Yucca Mountain`s surface could isolate high-level waste for 10,000 years. Yucca Mountain lies on the western edge of the Nevada Test Site, 177 kilometers (110 miles) northwest of Las Vegas. The Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project (YMP) has embarked on a broad-based testing program designed to examine all factors that could impact the performance of a repository. While there are several site studies under way, major site investigations have not progressed as planned. The DOE is presently involved in litigation with the state of Nevada, which has refused to issue environmental permits that are required before new site characterization studies can begin. This paper will examine progress made on the YMP during the past year, discuss studies that are planned in the near-term, and will describe the Project`s interactions with oversight groups, government entities, and the public.

• Research Organization: American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL (United States); American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 145630
• Report Number(s): CONF-910435--Vol.2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
LAWSUITS
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
STATE GOVERNMENT
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project