The disposal of nuclear waste is quickly becoming the most important issue facing the
environmental community today. Nearly twenty percent of our nation electricity is being
supplied by approximately 100 nuclear power plants that are operating in the United
States. Currently, most of the nuclear waste created by these power plants is being housed
temporarily in storage facilities and although the total amount of nuclear waste produced in
one year is small, the need to find a permanent method of disposing this waste is rapidly
growing.
The problem is everyone wants to live the lifestyle nuclear power provides, but no one
wants to pay the price. Where do we put the waste and who should have to suffer so the
majority of the population can prosper? Other questions that arise are why nuclear waste is
so harmful and what can we do to stop it.
Nuclear waste is extremely difficult to handle. New technologies and advancement in
waste treatment processes have made waste disposal safer, but it is still not absolutely safe.
Not only do we as a society have to worry about treating and containing the wastes; we
also have to find sites to store the waste that will not allow it to spread, even under the
worst situations.
There are many classifications of waste. Spent nuclear fuel is the radioactive by-product of
making electricity at commercial nuclear power plants. This form of waste contains
hazardous chemicals and toxic heavy metals. It is also considered to be environmentally
hazardous for thousands of years after it is used.
