Yucca Mountain Research Paper
Lyssa H.
Mr. Rudolph
English 101
22 July 2013
Yucca Mountain Waste Repository
Thesis: Although there has been much debate upon the issue, implementing Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository (YMNWR) is the wisest course of action for our nation’s nuclear waste. It is the most prudent decision when considering security, geographic and expense factors.
1. Implementing Yucca Mountain would greatly strengthen our nation’s safety.
a. It is safer to consolidate waste to protect from terrorist attack as opposed to keeping it scattered across the nation.
2. Why Yucca Mountain is monetarily the best course of action.
a. Billions of dollars have already been spent to build the facility
b. Abandoning the Yucca Mt. project and founding another repository would be very costly. Is Yucca Mountain the only repository in the US?
3. Objections and concerns to Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.
a. Why should we move our used fuel rods out of the pools of water they are currently stored in?
b. There is a risk of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes putting the repository at risk.
c. A radioactive emission from the waste containers is a concern. …show more content…
Yucca Mountain is not a volcano. An eruption has never occurred at Yucca Mountain. Some large eruptions occurred north of the area between 12 million and 15 million years ago, laying down the rock that eventually became Yucca Mountain. The last small eruption was 80,000 years ago in the valley floor southwest of the mountain. The chance of that happening in the near future is estimated at 1 in 70 million. Although earthquakes have occurred in the area, vibrations and their impact decrease underground. More than 40 years of research at the Nevada Test Site, which includes Yucca Mountain, shows that past earthquakes have had little impact there. The repository will be 1,000 feet underground, in a block of solid rock, and will be designed to withstand severe
Mr. Rudolph
English 101
22 July 2013
Yucca Mountain Waste Repository
Thesis: Although there has been much debate upon the issue, implementing Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository (YMNWR) is the wisest course of action for our nation’s nuclear waste. It is the most prudent decision when considering security, geographic and expense factors.
1. Implementing Yucca Mountain would greatly strengthen our nation’s safety.
a. It is safer to consolidate waste to protect from terrorist attack as opposed to keeping it scattered across the nation.
2. Why Yucca Mountain is monetarily the best course of action.
a. Billions of dollars have already been spent to build the facility
b. Abandoning the Yucca Mt. project and founding another repository would be very costly. Is Yucca Mountain the only repository in the US?
3. Objections and concerns to Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.
a. Why should we move our used fuel rods out of the pools of water they are currently stored in?
b. There is a risk of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes putting the repository at risk.
c. A radioactive emission from the waste containers is a concern. …show more content…
Yucca Mountain is not a volcano. An eruption has never occurred at Yucca Mountain. Some large eruptions occurred north of the area between 12 million and 15 million years ago, laying down the rock that eventually became Yucca Mountain. The last small eruption was 80,000 years ago in the valley floor southwest of the mountain. The chance of that happening in the near future is estimated at 1 in 70 million. Although earthquakes have occurred in the area, vibrations and their impact decrease underground. More than 40 years of research at the Nevada Test Site, which includes Yucca Mountain, shows that past earthquakes have had little impact there. The repository will be 1,000 feet underground, in a block of solid rock, and will be designed to withstand severe