Commercial nuclear power production in the U.S. has resulted in over 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel that is used and removed from nuclear reactors ÂÂand the inventory is increasing by about 2,000 metric tons per year. In addition, nuclear weapons production and other defense-related activities have resulted in about 13,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level nuclear waste. This high-level waste is extremely radioactive and needs to be isolated and shielded to protect human health and the environment. It is currently being stored primarily at sites where it was generated. After spending decades and billions of dollars to research potential sites for a permanent disposal site, including at the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada, the nation remains without a repository for disposal and future prospects are unclear. However, with the Republican-controlled Congress, the Yucca Mountain Depository could go forward and be in operation in just a few years after water and State issues have been resolved.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-