Firestorm Develops Over Yucca As Falsified Documents Revealed

U.S. Geological Survey Data Unsupported; By Design? Outright Lies? Answers Demanded

According to Department of Energy (DOE) officials, a nuclear scientist associated with the U.S. Geological Survey falsified information relating to the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository. The revelation came on the heels of information that the project was more than two years behind schedule.

Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, long in opposition to the nuclear repository, sent a blistering letter to the DOE, in which he said, "I am both disappointed and outraged by this development." Guinn also indicated that wasn't surprised by the fact that lies had been told regarding the building of the nation's nuclear waste garbage pit.

At the same time, Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval dispatched a letter to the U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. "This revelation casts additional, serious doubt on the Yucca project," he said, "It is Nevada's position that to the extent the data supporting the Yucca Mountain site recommendation is compromised, public health and safety cannot be assured."

The documents in question are e-mails that were sent by the U.S. Geological employee relating to water infiltration at the site. One of the main arguments with the site is whether or not the casks containing the high level nuclear waste would stand up to water infiltration. Governor Guinn said, "This is the heart of the matter."

Recently a Washington, D.C. court of appeals ruling in favor of Nevada's opposition to the project was based on the longevity of the casks, and whether or not a period of 10,000-years was enough time for protection. The court believed a period of over 200,000-years would be safer for future residents. The court ruled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard was deficient.

Sandoval, in his letter to letter to Gonzales demanded that "DOE immediately make all emails relevant to this matter available to my office." Sandoval also said, "I ask that your office move immediately to secure the entire Yucca Mountain data base at the project site to protect it from further manipulation."

The Secretary of Energy, Sam Bodman, has called for a full investigation by DOE's Office of Inspector General, but it appears that Sandoval and Guinn would much rather have that investigation in the hands of the U.S. Attorney General.

In recent congressional action, the DOE has requested only about half the money that it had projected it needed last year. According to Bodman, the $651 million dollar allocation, "is money we think we can spend responsibly on Yucca Mountain."

The EPA has said they won't have a rewrite of their radiation standards ready before the end of the year, as stipulated by the Appeals Court verdict.

High level nuclear waste is continuing to pile up at electric generating plants around the country, new plants are being developed, and at this time, there is not place for the waste to go. In much of the rest of the world, high level nuclear waste is held at the generation plants rather than shipped to central locations. According to some officials, if the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Repository ever does come on line, nuclear generating plants in Asia and other locations around the world might start shipping their high level waste to Nevada.

A member of the Nuclear Energy Institute said the slow down in progress reported by DOE "is not an impediment to building new nuclear plants."

UPDATE:  US Congressional Committee Releases Falsified Yucca Mountain Documents; E-Mails

Press Release With Document Links (House Committee On Government Reform; Subcommittee On The Federal Workforce And Agency Organization)