Congress establishes blueprint for developing nuclear waste disposal and prohibits federal acceptance of civilian waste until permanent burial site is located. Government promises to accept civilian reactor waste by 1998. Narrows potential sites to Nevada, South Carolina and Washington state. Abandons potential site in Northeast. Orders government to stop considering other sites.
Government responds, saying it has no such obligation because no storage site available.
Anticipate earlier completion of Yucca Mountain extended to 2015. Senate approves bill to build temporary site in Nevada, but bill dies in House.