What happened to the Yucca Mountain facility in Nevada?
It was ready to begin acceptance testing. That involved putting electric heaters in the cavities where the spent fuel canisters would be placed and seeing if the native rock would react as expected.
I think it was about two years away from accepting waste. But then it was about two decades behind schedule. The Federal Government was sued by Nuclear utilities for defaulting on the contract to take ownership of the spent fuel.
Whereas, the DOE has the responsibility for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin from civilian nuclear power reactors in order to protect the public health and safety, and the environment; and
Whereas, the DOE has the responsibility, following commencement of operation of a repository, to take title to the spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste involved as expeditiously as practicable upon the request of the generator or owner of such waste or spent nuclear fuel; and
Whereas, all costs associated with the preparation, transportation, and the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from civilian nuclear power reactors shall be borne by the owners and generators of such fuel and waste; and
Whereas, the DOE is required to collect a full cost recovery fee from owners and generators delivering to the DOE such spent nuclear fuel and/or high level radioactive waste; and
Whereas, the DOE is authorized to enter into contracts for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and/or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin in DOE facilities; and
Whereas, the Purchaser desires to obtain disposal services from DOE; and
Whereas, DOE is obligated and willing to provide such disposal services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;