Welcome to Lander County Yucca Mountain Oversight Program

The future of Yucca Mountain: Washington, D.C. – As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to restarting America’s nuclear industry, on January 29, 2010 U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future to provide recommendations for developing a safe, long-term solution to managing the Nation’s used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. The Commission is being co-chaired by former Congressman Lee Hamilton and former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft.

Controversy:
Tri-City leaders threaten Yucca Mountain lawsuit

February 22: Contradictory actions Editorial: Nuclear energy can't expand without a nuclear-waste site On Tuesday, President Barack Obama announced that his administration would back loans to build nuclear power plants. The construction, if it comes to pass, would be the first in nearly 30 years.

About Us

As one of the designated Affected Units of Local Government (AUG), Lander County maintains this website to inform citizens about issues related to the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository planned 90 miles north of Las Vegas. This website will also continue to update as activities and decisions happen that concern the potential transportation of nuclear waste in Lander County and Nevada.

Update June 30, 2010
June 30: Ruling keeps Yucca Mountain alive
"We conclude that Congress directed both that DOE file the application, and that the NRC consider the application and issue a final merits-based decision," the judges said. "Unless Congress directs otherwise, DOE may not single-handedly derail the legislated decision-making process by withdrawing the application."

April, 2010

Timeline 2010 Updated - What's going on with Yucca Mountain

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This website contains documents, photos, maps, and more about the history and current developments concerning the Yucca Mountain Repository program. If you have any questions or suggestions please contacts us.

The Lander County repository oversight program office is located in Austin, Nevada with a smaller office maintained in Battle Mountain for the Board of County Commissioners. Primary tasks include: grant administration, financial management, and overall program implementation, communication and coordination with other Lander County departments.

Program Oversight Activities

The primary function of oversight activities is to attend program related meetings, conferences and workshops, monitor program activities, review studies and other related information and provide periodic reports to the Lander County Board of County Commissioners. Oversight functions will be administered by county staff, elected officials and the planning consultant.

Lander County anticipates coordination with or attendance at meetings with the following entities:

Department of Energy
State of Nevada-Commission on Nuclear Projects
Tribal and Local Governments
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Western Interstate Energy Board
Transportation Coordination Group
Transportation External Coordinating Group
Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Transportation Protocol Working Group

DOE has decided not to complete the Environmental Impact Statement but rather has used the material prepared for the Supplement to develop the Analysis of Postclosure Groundwater Impacts for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada