The energy policy of the United States encourages the use of nuclear power. Nuclear power is fairly safe and does not have the same immediate effects on the environment that we have seen from fossil fuel energy. However, commercial nuclear reactors generate a fair amount on High-level Radioactive Waste (HLRW) that is currently stored on-site at facilities around the nation. The national plan calls for the disposal of this waste in a geologic repository in Nevada, Yucca Mountain. The Yucca Mountain project is of great importance to national security and health. I want to investigate the theory behind HLRW disposal, the feasiblity of locking it away for all forseeable time, and the policy implications of the project.
References:
National Research Council Reports:
Technical Bases for Yucca Mountain Standards
Disposition of High-Level Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel: The Continuing Societal and Technical Challenges
One Step At A Time: The Staged Development of Geologic Repositories for HLRW
General Accounting Office:
Nuclear Waste: Preliminary Observations on the Quality Assurance Program at the Yucca Mountain Repository
Posted at Mar 31/2005 09:18 PM:
Peter Saeta: One modest twist to include, I think, is the national political dynamics that militate against moving forward with an improvement in the storage situation (if not a permanent solution). I know you're up on the recent developments (reported during spring break) on fabrication of research findings. Kerry's position in the recent campaign is also illustrative.
Posted at Apr 15/2005 07:32 AM:
Peter Saeta: The stories continue on the fabrication snafu.
I would recommend speaking with Prof. Cardenas about Yucca Mountain. She's an expert on nuclear waste management.
Posted at May 05/2005 01:14 PM:
Joseph Majkut: Final Paper
majkut_final_energy.doc