Year
1999
Abstract
In December of 1998, the Department of Energy (DOE) completed the Yucca Mountain Viability Assessment. This assessment compiled information on all the major elements of the site and the repository design. This assessment concluded that the Yucca Mountain site remains a promising site for a repository and summarized the additional work that needs to be done to complete site characterization, to continue to evolve the design, and to make a decision on whether or not to recommend the site for approval. Since then, the DOE has focused on addressing the technical issues identified in the Viability Assessment and to assembling the information required to support national decisions on geological disposal at the Yucca Mountain site. The Management and Operating Contractor (M&O) has completed an enhanced design alternative study and recommended a design concept to the Department of Energy for site recommendation and license application, if the site is found suitable.