The end of Yucca, according to Obama

By Lisa Mascaro

Thursday, May 7, 2009 | 1:25 p.m.

WASHINGTON — For those of you want to read it for yourselves, this is what the end of Yucca Mountain looks like, straight from President Barack Obama’s proposed 2010 budget released today.

It starts with the heading, “Termination: Yucca Mountain Repository Program”.

Then it’s downhill from there.

But you can read it for yourself.

Here is the full text from the president’s proposed budget (minus the chart):

“The Administration proposes to eliminate the Yucca Mountain repository program,” reads the opening line.

“The Budget provides $196.8 million for the Department of Energy (DOE) to explore alternatives for nuclear waste disposal and to continue participation in the repository license proceeding before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“This proposal implements the Administration's decision to terminate the Yucca Mountain program while developing disposal alternatives. All funding for development of the facility would be eliminated, such as further land acquisition, transportation access, and additional engineering.

“The President has acknowledged that nuclear power is -- and likely will remain -- an important source of electricity for many years to come and that how the Nation deals with the dangerous byproduct of nuclear reactors is a critical question that has yet to be resolved.

“The President, however, has made clear that the Nation needs a better solution than the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. Such a solution must be based on sound science and capable of securing broad support, including support from those who live in areas that might be affected by the solution.

“Accordingly, Secretary of Energy Chu has announced that he will stand up an expert, Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate options and make recommendations to the Administration for developing a new plan for the back end of the fuel cycle.

“The program accounts continue to fund only those costs necessary to participate in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission proceeding and an effort by the Administration to devise a new strategy toward nuclear waste disposal.”