The politics of nuclear waste: An analysis of a public hearing on the proposed yucca mountain nuclear waste repository

Abstract

A variety of literature exists on environmental impact statements (EIS) and their relative success or failure in providing the basis for fall and fair discussion of environmental issues. Existing studies have generally examined printed copies of either draft or completed EISs. This study examines a public hearing held prior to the printing of a first draft, proposed EIS to determine how government‐citizen interaction at an initial hearing might impact the proposed draft EIS. It analyzes the public scoping hearings held in Salt Lake City, Utah, to determine the potential environmental impact of the proposed national nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. It provides background on political action prior to the hearings, and focuses on governmental/political‐citizen interaction at the hearings to examine the practical implications of political involvement in the process.