Yucca Mountain public tours: Can they impact public opinion

Conference · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:5041052

Reilly, B ^[1]; Austin, P ^[2]

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1. SAIC, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
2. SAIC, McLean, VA (United States)

The Yucca Mountain site in Nevada was selected by Congress in 1987 as the only site for the US Department of Energy (DOE) to study for suitability as a high-level radioactive waste repository. Several years of site characterization studies are needed to determine if the site is suitable. However, DOE's study of the site is one of the most intensely opposed federal programs today. The fight against DOE's effort to study the repository leads the political agendas of Nevada's governor and Congressional delegation. The politicians and the press have been the primary sources of information for Nevada citizens on the Yucca Mountain site characterization program. However, there is a more direct source of factual information regarding the program - the site itself and the participating scientists. The DOE is offering Nevada citizens the opportunity to form their own opinions by touring the Yucca Mountain site and interacting with DOE scientists and engineers. Feedback from monthly tours conducted from March to June 1991 has indicated substantial support from Nevada citizens for DOE's study of the site. In fact, a surprising number of citizens have indicated that the opportunity to gather information and formulate their own opinions led them to change their opinions.

• OSTI ID: 5041052
• Report Number(s): CONF-911107--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 64
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
DECISION MAKING
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
INFORMATION
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MOUNTAINS
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NUCLEAR POWER
POLITICAL ASPECTS
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PUBLIC INFORMATION
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SITE SELECTION
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
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WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
YUCCA MOUNTAIN