In an effort to find a suitable storage site for nuclear waste, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham notified Nevada officials that a tunnel in Yucca Mountain appears to be the most favorable site. Currently the waste is stored in over 100 sites in 39 states.
The site is located 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nev.; the actual tunnel will be constructed 300 meters below ground. The water table, the level of the highest ground water, is 600 meters deep. Officials say that the distance negates the risk of contaminating the water for Pahrump, a town of about 30,000 people, and Las Vegas.
Nuclear activity is nothing new in the Yucca Mountain area. Currently the Nevada Test Site, where the United States has preformed over 900 nuclear tests in the last 50 years, is located in the area. The Nellis Air Force base is also located in the near vicinity.
The waste will be transported by train to Yucca Mountain along paths that could come within a mile of homes, schools and businesses.
