Nuclear Waste: How Safe Is Safe Enough?

As the debate rages over using Nevada's Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste site, critcs argue that it's impossible to assess the long-term impacts.

1 minute read

April 22, 2002, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"A [National Research Council] team... noted a more troubling issue for those looking to science for absolute answers on the site's suitability. Assessing Yucca Mountain's performance, they said, "may be beyond the analytical capabilities of any scientific and engineering team." The reason: It's too hard to predict what will happen over tens of thousands of years, given the diverse processes such as volcanic activity, seepage, or changes in rock chemistry at the site."

Thanks to Tom Collins

FULL STORY: How safe is safe?

Friday, April 19, 2002 in The Christian Science Monitor

Environment Nevada

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.