Oppose the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump

Yucca Mountain, located 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, is the only site under consideration for a proposed repository to store 77,000 tons of high-level radioactive waste from U.S. weapons sites and commercial nuclear reactors.

In February 2002, the Bush Administration formally recommended construction of the dangerous dump. As provided under nuclear waste law, Nevada's Governor vetoed the Yucca Mountain site recommendation in April. Despite broad-based opposition from environmental and public interest organizations, the House capitulated to the nuclear industry's powerful pro-Yucca lobby and voted 306-117 to overturn Nevada's veto on May 8th. On July 9th, the Senate similarly approved the dangerous dump by a vote of 60-39.

Numerous scientific, economic and policy problems continue to plague the Yucca Mountain Project, which faces an uncertain future in upcoming regulatory, legislative, and legal processes. In addition to earthquake and water-flow problems at the Yucca Mountain site, the prospect of transporting nuclear waste across the country to Nevada raises serious safety and security concerns. Tens of thousands of shipments of this deadly cargo would pass through 44 states and the District of Columbia by truck, train, and barge, exposing millions of Americans to unnecessary nuclear risks.

In Yucca Mountain Approval, Senators Bow to Nuclear Industry; Fight Will Continue: Statement of Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook

Take Action! Send a free fax to your Senators to let them know what you think of their vote on Yucca Mountain.

Senate Approval of the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump: How did your Senator vote?

House Approval of the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump: How did your Member of Congress vote?

Which routes through your state could become nuclear waste thoroughfares en route to the proposed high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, Nevada?  Check here:

National Map

(No Yucca Mountain shipments are projected though Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, or Rhode Island)

Add your group to the Statement Opposing the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump

Factsheets:

Everyone knows that accidents happen: Nuclear Waste Transport Casks
Accidents Waiting to Happen: Proposed Nuclear Shipments to Yucca Mountain [364 KB]
Accidents Waiting to Happen: Proposed Nuclear Shipments to Yucca Mountain

Nuke Waste and Sham: a poem a la Dr. Suess by Jen Loeng

Links to more online information about the Yucca Mountain Project:

Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program
Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force

more resources

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