Letter to Christopher T. Hanson, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Yucca Mountain License Proceeding

Letter

Dear Chairman Hanson,
We write today to strongly urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to give fair and full consideration to the State of Nevada's motion to reopen the licensing proceeding to consider motions for summary disposition related to the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository. Since September 2011, the NRC adjudicatory process has been on hold, and these motions would initiate the process to lift the suspension and give the Commission the opportunity to vote on the Yucca Mountain license application.
The relationship between the Department of Energy (DOE) and State of Nevada has long been a difficult and painful one. For over three decades, the Department of Energy has left open the possibility of Nevada's becoming the dumping ground for the nation's nuclear waste. From the time the Nuclear Waste Policy Act was signed into law in 1987, there has been resounding disapproval by Nevadans.
Since the license application has been on hold, our State faces an uncertain future of not knowing whether hazardous nuclear waste will be forced upon us.
There are also significant financial implications for the State and the country. In 2008, the Department of Energy estimated that without major interruptions, it would take $1.66 billion just to complete the multi-year process for receiving construction authorization. If that were to happen, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates that construction of Yucca Mountain would cost between $75 billion and $119 billion.
This construction estimate does not account for the costs of transporting highly radioactive nuclear waste through 44 States and the District of Columbia, including 330 Congressional Districts. With an estimated 100,000 trucks needed to transport the waste, that would amount to an average of 4-6 trucks per day, every day, for 50 years.
Due to the safety, financial, and environmental implications for Nevada, we strongly urge your fair and full consideration of the State of Nevada's motion so that our State may have its voice heard in this process. We know you have a difficult task ahead of you as you make this critical decision. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of us, or our staff at your convenience.

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