Letter: Nuke dump would be foolish

Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.

It is absurd to believe that we possess the technology to safely store these nuclear wastes for 10,000 years. The Yucca Mountain "solution" is the least expensive answer found by Congress. Does anyone really believe the cheapest solution is the best, or that it will last as long as advertised? Don't be foolish. Here is the answer:

Use the Yucca Mountain site as a 200- to 500-year repository. Yes, we probably can store that nasty nuclear stuff quite safely for that long.

Also include in the cavern a sign engraved on the same material as the casks with this message:

"Dear grandkids: Uh ... we goofed. We made all this nasty stuff and can't really deal with it so we have shoved it in here hoping you have developed a technological answer that we do not have.

"Be careful, this stuff is really bad. At the back of the cave, please find 100 tons of gold bullion. We hope it will still have some value and that it will help you in paying to clean up our mistake.

"Love, Your great, great, great, great grandpa and your great, great, great, great gramma."

GREGORY NEMITZ Carson City

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