Yucca Mountain Survey

We conducted a survey to get some reactions and feedback on what people thought about Yucca Mountain. We surveyed 100 students and adults at our school. Here are the questions we asked:

1) Have you heard about the Yucca Mountain Project?

- 81% of those surveyed responded yes and 19% had not heard about Yucca Mountain.

2) Do you feel that nuclear waste should be stored at Yucca Mountain? Why or why not?

- 70% did not agree nuclear waste should be stored at Yucca Mountain, 20% said yes and 10% thought maybe. Here are some comments in response to this question:

- "No! because the government (for 40+ years) have been doing atomic weapons tests in Nevada and have polluted our surroundings. Why then do they have the audacity to store atomic waste in our backyard."

- "No, it will carry the effects into the land, air, and water we use to survive. The effects are unknown, therefore, so are the consequences."

- "I think the fact the fact that nuclear waste will be stored near by really scares people. When you think "nuclear" you think "destruction", but it has to be stored somewhere and if every state pushes it away it would be even more dangerous, so yes."

- "Yes I do. The economic impact would be good for our state."

3) Do you think that Yucca Mountain is a safe enough place to store nuclear waste?

- 50% felt it was not safe enough, 11% felt is was safe enough and 39% were not sure.

- "They say it is . . . but we don't know that for a fact, what guarantees do they have it is?"

- "We don't know what the long term effects of nuclear waste storage."

- "I think Yucca Mountain is as safe as anywhere else. I believe nuclear waste should be stored locally where it is generated."

4) Do you think our tax dollars should go to support the completion of Yucca Mountain?

- 73% are against our tax dollars being spent for this, 27% felt it was ok.

- "No, I think more of our tax dollars should go to schools!"

- "Federally no, however, Nevada ought to be investing it's resources in getting the best economic return and not fighting the inevitable."

5) Besides Yucca Mountain, where in your opinion would be the best place to store nuclear waste?

- Most of the people surveyed were not sure but the most common answers were to send it to outer space or keep it where it is produced