Nuclear Waste Policy Act (Section 112) - Environmental Assessment, Yucca Mountain Site, Nevada Research and Development Area, Nevada, Volume 1

By the end of this century, the United States plans to begin operating the first geologic repository for the permanent disposal of commercial spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive Waste. Public Law 97-425, the Nuclear waste Policy Act of 1982 (the Act), specifies the process for selecting a repository site, and constructing, operating, closing, and decommissioning the repository. Congress approved geologic disposal by decluring that one of the key purposes of the Act is "to establish a schedule for the siting, construction, and operation of repositories that will provide reasonable assurance ti"1at the public and the environment will be adequately protected from the hazards posed by high-level radioactive waste and such spent nuclear fuel as may be disposed of in a repository"