Scientific panel rips Yucca study

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

An independent scientific panel released a report on the Energy Department's work at the proposed Yucca Mountain repository, calling it "weak to moderate."

However, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board was not critical of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's announcement that he would recommend the site, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, to President Bush next month. The board's report made it clear that criticizing the recommendation of the site was beyond its responsibility.

The Nevada congressional delegation seized on the latest scientific review as another example of poor science, rather than the sound science on which the Bush administration said it will base its repository decision.

The report said the panel had concerns on gaps in DOE data about how fast water travels through the mountain, how quickly nuclear waste containers with 77,000 tons of radioactive material could corrode and how long man-made shielding would protect buried wastes.

In a letter sent by Board Chairman Jared Cohon to the DOE, the panel said it had "limited confidence" in the complex computer models federal scientists are relying on to predict the repository's behavior for thousands of years.

By law the repository has to be demonstrated safe for 10,000 years.

"We wouldn't dream of settling for weak to moderate techniques from a surgeon trying to save someone's life or a pilot trying to land a plane," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said. "I can't believe that the administration would settle for weak to moderate science as the basis for this decision. I once again call on President Bush to keep his word that he will let sound science prevail in the designation on a nuclear waste repository."

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., also focused on the role of science in the repository decision.

"When we are talking about one of the deadliest materials on our planet, sound science should mean strong science, not weak science," Ensign said.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said both the latest report and a General Accounting Office review that found 293 unresolved technical issues proves the site is not ready.

"It has become painfully clear how premature the recommendation is and how this decision was made based on the disgraceful bias of Spencer Abraham and the Department of Energy," Berkley said.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., had not reviewed the report and had no comment.

Bob Loux, executive director of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, said the review board is only the latest in mounting criticism of the Yucca Mountain repository.

"There isn't anybody who believes there is sound science here outside of the DOE," Loux said.