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Yucca Mountain Studies Authorized in 1976
 In 1982, Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) to set
national policy to help solve the issue of high-level nuclear waste
disposal. Congress based this law on a concept that most scientists
agreed was the best way to dispose of nuclear waste.
The NWPA made the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) responsible for
locating, building, and operating an underground geologic repository for
the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste.
The quest for a geologic repository dates back to 1957 when the National
Academy of Sciences recommended that the best means of protecting public
health and safety, and the environment, would be to dispose of
high-level waste deep underground in rock. Scientists evaluated many
options, including burying it under the ocean floor, disposal under the
polar ice sheets, and sending it into outer space.
The NWPA established a detailed schedule for site characterization. To
pay for the program, Congress established the Nuclear Waste Fund. People
who use power from nuclear plants pay into the fund for nuclear waste
disposal through their utility bills.
In 1976, nearly 20 years after the first nuclear power plant went
on-line, the government began collecting data on potential repository
sites. The 1982 Act was based on what was learned during the earlier
program.
In 1983, DOE selected nine locations in six states to consider for
potential high-level radioactive waste storage sites.
All the sites were studied, and the findings were submitted to Congress.
Based on the studies, President Reagan then approved three sites for
comprehensive characterization: Hanford, Washington; Deaf Smith County,
Texas; and Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
In December 1987, Congress amended the NWPA and directed DOE to study
only Yucca Mountain. This congressional mandate, driven by budgetary
concerns and the costs of studying three sites, was criticized by some
Nevadans who felt the 1987 Amendments Act unfairly targeted the state to
eventually receive the waste.
In the Amendments Act, Congress directed DOE to determine whether or not
Yucca Mountain would be suitable for a potential repository. The Act
specifies studies will stop immediately if Yucca Mountain is found
unsuitable. If that were to happen, the site would be restored to its
natural condition and DOE would seek new direction from Congress.
From 1976 to 1986 various site characterization studies were conducted.
These included drilling boreholes to obtain information on the
mountain's hydrology and earthquake faults.
In 1986, all surface-disturbing activities were stopped on the Yucca
Mountain Project. The State of Nevada stated that Yucca Mountain work
could not be done under standing NTS permits.
On July 8, 1991, project scientists resumed digging at Trench 14 in the
Midway Valley in the southwestern area of the Nevada Test Site, after
obtaining the required air quality permit from the State of Nevada. This
was followed on March 3, 1992 by the insurance of a water permit, which
allowed water to be pumped for dust control.
On June 29, 1992, an earthquake below Little Skull Mountain registered
5.6 on the Richter Scale. Because it was only 12 miles from Yucca
Mountain, the earthquake revived concerns about the site.
Scientists have found that information from the quake is invaluable in
helping them understand ground motion that may occur with future quakes.
This will provide clues to the suitability of the mountain.
In November 1992, work began on the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF).
The ESF will be a technically designed underground laboratory consisting
of a 14-mile loop of tunnels on two levels with a north entrance ramp, a
main cross tunnel, and a south exit ramp. Alcoves will house individual
laboratory and test facilities 1,000 feet below the mountain ridge.
Once the studies are completed (target date is 2001) the findings will
be submitted to the Secretary of Energy, who will then recommend
appropriate action to the President. If the site receives Presidential
approval, DOE will seek a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
to begin construction. The state of Nevada will have an opportunity to
submit a "notice of disapproval" (veto) after the Presidential decision.
Work could only continue if a majority vote in Congress overturned the
State's veto.
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