Seek safe disposal of nuclear waste

Money to close Yucca Mountain

Updated: Friday, November 6th, 2009 | By Lukas Pleva

During the campaign, Barack Obama took a stand against the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. That boosted his appeal in Nevada, where the facility is located. Most residents -- particularly Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader -- are opposed to it.

The U.S. Department of Energy had been considering Yucca Mountain as a possible site for long-term disposal of nuclear waste since 1987. In 2002, George W. Bush signed a law that began construction. But during the 2008 campaign, Obama said there were still outstanding questions about whether nuclear waste can safely be stored there.

Obama's opposition to Yucca Mountain is included in Promise No. 474, which says that he will "lead federal efforts to look for a safe, long-term disposal solution based on objective, scientific analysis. In the meantime, Obama will develop requirements to ensure that the waste stored at current reactor sites is contained using the most advanced dry-cask storage technology available. Barack Obama believes that Yucca Mountain is not an option."

On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the $33.5 billion spending bill to fund government energy and water programs for the 2010 fiscal year. Part of the spending bill is a provision to close down the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.

Obama acknowledged that there's still a long way to go before the government finds the best option for nuclear waste disposal. Shutting down the Yucca Mountain project, however, is a start. We rate this In the Works.

Sources:

Reuters, FACTBOX: Obama signs energy, water spending bill into law, Oct. 29, 2009

Reuters, Obama budget seeks end to Yucca nuclear waste dump, May 7, 2009

CBS News, Senate Passes Bill to Close Yucca Mountain, July 30, 2009

Las Vegas Sun, Yucca Mountain, Accessed Nov. 4, 2009

Obama/Biden Campaign Document, Barack Obama's Plan to Make America a Global Energy Leader, Accessed Nov. 5, 2009