Yucca Mountain Transportation Fact Sheet

Can You Find Your State On This Map? 

Although the Department of Energy (DOE) will not divulge proposed transportation routes from reactor sites and military installations to Yucca Mountain, they are mandated by federal law to take the most direct routes on the best roads. 

DOE also refuses to include a study of transportation impacts in their Environmental Impacts Statement on Yucca Mt. DOE's position is that private firms will be contracted to haul the waste, and they are not responsible. This leaves the public at the mercy of companies for whom profits come first, before driver or public safety.

Affected Population:

43 States, many of which have chosen to not have nuclear facilities.
Most major cities and freeways in the US
50 million people live within 1/2 mile of proposed routes.

DOE Proposed Volume: 

Minimum of 70,000 metric tons of high-level nuclear waste to be shipped to Yucca Mountain over 24-30 years. DOE could ship up to 120,000 tons over 39 years.

Exposure: 

A person standing next to one unshielded assembly would receive a lethal dose in a few minutes. Each rail cask will contain 2 to 5 million curies of radioactive materials.

DOE shipment estimates:

Mostly trucks: 49,500-96,500 trucks & 300 rail casks
Mostly rail: 10,800-19,800 rail casks & 2,600-3,700 trucks

Terrorism:

The State of Nevada (NWPO) estimates that a successful terrorist attack could release up to 40,000 curies from a rail cask. Rail and Truck casks are unique in appearance, easily targeted, and have never been tested for deliberate sabotage damage.

Accident of Nuclear Reactor Fuel Rods

A truck carrying nuclear fuel rods crashed into the median in Springfield MA in 1991. Radioactive material was thrown around the highway and onto the roadway below the overpass. Although this was not containerized used rods (which are a million times more dangerous), this photo proves that accidents do happen. 

Estimated accidents- NV Nuclear Waste Projects Office (NWPO):

If 2/3 by rail: 175-355
If 9/10 by rail: 185-250
By truck only (Clark County): 15-20 in Las Vegas alone.

Current rail accidents (RailWatch):

Every 90 minutes, and rising
Toxic spill every 2 weeks

DOE estimates a rural accident could contaminate 42 square miles. An urban accident would be devastating.