Cord Byrd: “I am concerned that many geological and technical questions associated with the Yucca Mountain plan have yet to be…”

“I am concerned that many geological and technical questions associated with the Yucca Mountain plan have yet to be answered. We must ensure the safe keeping of this waste material for 10,000 years--a period of time longer than the written history of mankind. Therefore, there must be certainty that the Yucca Mountain site ensures protection of the environment and the safety of citizens. At this point, such certainty does not exist. What we do not yet know about Yucca Mountain and its suitability as a long-term repository gives me great concern. For instance, how safe is it to house such a great volume of nuclear waste at a site that lies along a natural fault line? Can a facility be built to withstand a major earthquake? There have not been sufficient answers to these and other questions. Many scientific studies have reached the same conclusion, namely that more research is needed before moving forward with the Yucca Mountain site. Despite the incomplete scientific study of Yucca Mountain and the state of Nevada's steadfast opposition to the project, the nuclear energy industry and other parties are said to have pressured the Secretary of Energy to recommend that Yucca Mountain is a suitable site for the repository. If Yucca Mountain is designated the primary repository for high-level nuclear waste, transportation of this hazardous material throughout the country will increase significantly.”