"The transportation of nuclear waste is a danger to everyone". In his January 22, 2001 State of the State Address, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn pledged $5 million in state funds to "fight the Department of Energy and those in Congress …determined to make Nevada the nation's nuclear waste dump". Accumulated commercial and military nuclear waste that has been stockpiled for years throughout the U.S. is primarily targeted for storage in a frontier area of Nevada defying margins of safety. Despite standards that require safe storage and despite scientific evidence that should eliminate the proposed Nevada site from consideration, discussions at the Federal level continue to target Nevada as the nations nuclear waste dump. Over forty states will be affected from the transport of nuclear waste through their territories. Governor Leavitt of Utah has partnered with Governor Guinn in the effort "to leave nuclear waste where it was created."
In this session, panelists will present geologic information about the proposed nuclear waste storage site, information on Department of Energy alterations to established nuclear industry standards and policy, and public health concerns regarding nuclear waste transportation and storgae for the nation. A discussion with the audience will be facilitated in order to consider the planning and preparation needed to address issues of nuclear waste transportation, particularly in isolated rural and frontier areas. These communities, already disadvantaged due to distances, are most vulnerable to nuclear waste transportation accidents yet lack the capacity to respond.
Learning Objectives: - Raise awareness of the serious public health issues raised by the transportation and storage of nuclear waste. - Engage public health leaders in discussions regarding nuclear waste accidents in rural communities. -Focus attention on the global and national issues surrounding nuclear waste transportation and storage. -Emphasize the need for the development of a public health response system and the placement of professionals with technical expertise in these issues within public health departments.
Keywords: Rural Communities, Environmental Health Hazards
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.