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The community that wants a Geological Disposal Facility

A community’s frustration at not being allowed to even consider hosting a geological repository (a GDF) is amply demonstrated in this interview on Nevada Public Radio.

Dan Schinhofen is vice chairman of the Nye County Commission.  It is his community which would host the US’ geological disposal facility at the proposed Yucca Mountain site.  He and his fellow residents are angry that their community’s concerns, aspirations and interests are being ignored by a distant urban-based political and commercial elite.

During the interview he makes the following key points:

• Doing further research on the site does not mean anything will actually be built: “let’s first have the facts.  My grandchildren live here — if it’s not safe, we won’t want it.”
• Las Vegas is worried about the impact on tourism if Yucca goes ahead, yet waste is already sitting on the surface near the city — waste which would be removed deep underground if Yucca was built
• The jobs and revenues created would deliver and sustain public services that are currently not available to the people of Nye County and those living in adjoining rural communities
• Nevada has spent millions of dollars on lawyers to block further investigation of the Yucca site, but refuses to provide money for public services in Nye County
• Local people firmly believe the facility will bring jobs and better public services, which will enhance the quality of life in the community — those who are skeptical about the potential socioeconomic benefits for Nye County don’t live in Nye County
• Whether it’s dealing with the radioactive waste problem, or improving community services in Nye County, “just sticking your fingers in your ears and saying ‘no’ is not an answer.”

The written article accompanying the audio interview can be read here.