Why is waste disposal a significant problem in nuclear power generation? Discuss Yucca Mountain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Nuclear fission uses uranium-235 as fuel, leaving most of the remaining uranium-238 as waste. The half-lives of the isotopes that make up the fragments of fission are physical constants that cannot be altered or shortened. Because uranium has a long half-life, wastes emit dangerous radiation for thousands of years. It must be placed in a stable, secure location where the radiation cannot escape and harm the public by contaminating air or water supplies. It must also be protected from terrorist attack. The U.S. DOE estimates that by 2010, 75% if U.S. nuclear power plants will have no room left for waste storage. In 2002 Congress recommended that nuclear wastes be stored deep underground at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Although geological and hydrological studies revealed that the site posed minimal earthquake and ground water contamination risk, concerned Nevadans have expressed dismay and challenged these findings. Although Yucca Mountain was in an unpopulated area, there would have been risks of sabotage or accidents en route. In 2010, heeding the opposition to the site, President Obama withdrew federal support from the project. Therefore, the United States currently has no long-term plan to deal with the pressing problem of nuclear waste storage.