How might nuclear waste be transported to Yucca Mountain?
Though DOE has stated that no transportation decisions will be made until Yucca Mountain is approved, many options are under consideration. Current plans call for the shipments to originate in the 35 states with nuclear reactors and government weapons facilities. The waste is to travel by trucks and trains through 43 states on their way to Nevada. Radioactive waste is currently shipped in casks that function as barriers against the release of radiation during transport. Casks are heavily shielded to contain the radioactive material within allowable limits established by DOT and must be certified by NRC to withstand extreme accidents, impact, puncture, and exposure to fire and water.
