With Yucca Mountain once again the subject of debate, and, some hope, renewal, let’s review a few key points in its history
2017
With Republicans controlling White House and Congress, talks of reviving Yucca Mountain resume; Nevada fights Texas lawsuit that aims to restart repository process.
2009
Yucca Mountain deemed not a workable site by President Obama’s energy secretary.
2008
Sen. Harry Reid’s plan to make Nevada an early-primary state sensitizes Democratic presidential candidates to state’s anger over repository.
2002
President Bush approves the DOE’s recommendation to proceed with the project.
2001
As the DOE is hit by allegations of colluding with the nuclear industry to promote Yucca Mountain, Nevada sues over what it claims are inadequate radiation standards for the site.
1994
DOE begins tunneling into Yucca Mountain; five miles of tunnels will eventually be dug.
1987
Yucca Mountain, initially one of nine sites to be studied, is singled out as the sole site by Congress in a politically motivated act known as the “Screw Nevada bill.”
1982
With toxic waste building up near reactor sites, Congress passes the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, beginning the process of finding a single repository site.
