Dive Summary:
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is seeking comments on how to continue the licensing process for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project, after suspending the process in September 2011.
- With $11 million left to re-start the licensing process, the NRC is acting on an appeals court order issued August 13 requiring NRC to permit or prevent nuclear waste disposal at the Yucca Mountain in Nevada, just 100 miles of Las Vegas.
- The recent shut down of five nuclear units in the last few months has put pressure on NRC to open Yucca as a repository. The NRC will receive comment through September 30.
From the article:
“Electricity consumers 'who have contributed nearly $35 billion in fees and interest to the federal government specifically for used nuclear fuel management, deserve to know whether Yucca Mountain is a safe site for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel,' the NEI said.”