Nuclear Energy's Dilemma

Disposing of Hazardous Radioactive Waste Safely Gao ID: EMD-77-41 September 9, 1977

The unsolved problem of radioactive waste disposal threatens the future of nuclear power in the United States. Nuclear critics, the public, business leaders, and government officials concur that a solution to the disposal problem is critical to the continued growth of nuclear energy. The Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has begun a program to demonstrate, by the mid-1980's, the feasibility and safety of placing radioactive wastes in deep geological formations.

Nearly all operations that produce or use nuclear materials generate radioactive waste. Locations must be found to isolate these wastes and their harmful environmental effects.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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