Nuclear waste problem languishes in politics
A story in the press several weeks ago deserves more analysis and review. In the early 1980s the United States Congress passed a joint resolution to create a nuclear waste depository for the safe storage of spent fuel. The nuclear waste accumulated from both military uses and nuclear power plants. Plants in Illinois, such as those run by ComEd, were to move waste to the permanent storage site.
After a thorough geological analysis the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada was selected. With Congressional approval construction began and an estimated $9 billion was spent. The construction proceeded while "temporary storage" of nuclear waste continued at multiple locations throughout the country.
Several years ago, near the completion of the Yucca Mountain project, it all came to a screeching halt. Sen. Harry Reed of Nevada, the majority leader of the Senate, used his clout to shut down the project. Government agencies indicate the project was not shut down for environmental reasons, but for political ones.
That leaves us back last Square 1, billions spent and years wasted without a solution to the still-critical problem. The recent leaking of nuclear fuel in Japan due to a natural disaster points to the potential problems we could have in this country.
The city of North Chicago is seeking funding to continue the "temporary storage" of nuclear fuel, which is expensive. Electrical energy consumers continue to pay into the fund for the permanent solution of dangerous nuclear waste.
What we now have is, ironically, a non-solution after over 30 years. The nation is poorer and we are still at risk.
James Mooney
Arlington Heights, and Michael Mooney
Prospect Heights