The NRC could take up to four years to review the application during a formal hearing, once the president and Congress approve. And the president has no deadline to recommend a repository site, he said. In addition, the state of Nevada has the right to veto the project and then two-thirds of Congress would have to vote to override the state's objection, which could cause further delays of an NRC license. The NRC's chief concern is how fast water moves through the mountain. If water reaches buried waste containers and corrodes them, the environment could be exposed to radiation, Meserve said.
Commissioners expect surprises during a licensing hearing.
The NRC is also considering a proposal to change the rules on its hearing process, making it less rigorous for nuclear reactor applicants. I'm inclined to seek public comment on whether we should streamline the rules. I have not reached a conclusion on the Yucca Mountain side. Meserve spent today meeting informally and individually with local government, state, Indian tribe and environmental representatives. Click here .