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What has happened So far?
The following is a timeline of important events in the development of
a national geologic depository at Yucca Mountain.
1957
National Academy of Sciences report submitted to the U.S. Atomic Commission
recommends high-level radioactive wastes be buried in geologic formations.
1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act (Full
Text)
This Act establishes geologic disposal as the United State's long term
strategy for the removal of nuclear wastes. It also orders the Department
of Energy (DOE) to determine potential sites for a national depository.
1983
The DOE selects nine potential sites for the nation's first geologic
depository
1986
The Secretary of Energy further reduces the nine sites to only five
for further consideration. The President then reduces the five to only
three: Hanford, Washington, Deaf Smith County, Texas and Yucca Mountain
Nevada.
December 1987 Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act (Full
Text)
Congress passes the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act which selects
Yucca Mountain as the only site for further consideration.
1992 Energy Policy Act (Full
Text)
The Environmental Protection Agency is requested to develop site-specific
health and safety radiation standards for Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
December 1998 Yucca Mountain Viability Assessment
The Viability Assessment gives preliminary plans on the design, function,
requirements, and costs of the disposal center.
August 1999 Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DOE issues a draft EIS Statement for a Federal Depository at Yucca Mountain.
The EIS covers the potential effects of construction and operation of
the facility. It also considers the effects of a no action alternative.
June 2001
EPA releases their final site-specific radiation standards that the DOE
must meet before construction and operation of Yucca Mountain
February 15, 2002 (White
House Statement)
President Bush approved the recommendation and sends it to Congress
May 2002
Congress votes to override the Nevada veto and approves Yucca Mountain
in a vote of 60-39.
October 2002 Final Environmental Impact Statement (Full
Text)
The Final Environmental Impact Statement is released; while silmilar to
the earlier draft, this version also takes into account public commentary.
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