NV.gov
Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2026 Carson City, Nevada Contact: Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects Phone: (775) 687-3744 Email: nwpo@anp.nv.gov
Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects Recognizes that the Trump Administration accepts that the nation must fix the problem of Nuclear Waste Disposal; Urges Congress to Initiate New Site Selection Process
Carson City, NV – The Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects recognizes the Trump Administration’s request for information seeking state volunteers for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses that include disposition of Nuclear Waste. Nevada views this as further acknowledgement that the Yucca Mountain site is not a viable option for the long-term disposal of the nation's high-level nuclear waste, and the Commission applauds the Administration for taking the first steps at identifying alternative locations that starts with state buy-in. This acknowledgment marks a significant step forward in addressing one of the most contentious environmental and public safety issues facing our country, aligning with Nevada's longstanding opposition to the flawed proposal.
For decades, Nevada has led the fight against Yucca Mountain, due to its scientific, geological, and logistical flaws, including seismic risks, water contamination threats, and transportation hazards that could endanger communities across the nation. The site's designation in 1987 was a political not a scientific decision, and repeated studies have confirmed its unsuitability. The Trump Administration's RFI reinforces the need for a science-based, consent-driven approach to nuclear waste management.
"We applaud President Trump and his administration for listening to the voices of Nevadans and prioritizing public health and environmental protection over outdated mandates," said Richard Bryan, Chairman of the Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects and former U.S. Senator and Governor of Nevada. "This is a victory for common sense. However, the work is far from over. Our nation’s nuclear waste management system must learn from its past failures and leaders in Congress should swiftly pass legislation to ensure all states are able to fairly participate in a transparent site selection process that incorporates input from affected states, tribes, and stakeholders. A fresh start is essential to safely and responsibly manage our nuclear legacy."
The Commission emphasizes that any new process must be grounded in voluntary consent, rigorous scientific evaluation, and equitable considerations, as recommended by the Blue-Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future.
The Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects, established in 1985, advises the Governor and Legislature on matters related to radioactive waste and nuclear activities, ensuring the protection of Nevada's residents, environment, and economy.
Signed, Richard Bryan Chairman, Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects
Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects Criticizes Nuclear Regulatory Commission Decision; Pledges to Continue Fighting Against Yucca Mountain Project
CARSON CITY, NV — Today, the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects criticized a decision by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which failed to lift the suspension of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project licensing proceeding, a necessary step before the NRC could consider three Nevada planned motions for summary disposition.
These motions identified significant safety flaws in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) license application for the project, which the NRC itself has acknowledged and should have led to the denial of the application and the termination of the project.
“We gave the Nuclear Regulatory Commission the opportunity to dismiss this ill-advised project once and for all and their decision to not lift the suspension and take up the motions is deeply disappointing,” said Fred Dilger, Executive Director for the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects. “It’s critical for our state to ensure safety and security for future generations and prevent radioactive contamination of our precious natural resources. Rest assured; the State of Nevada will continue to fight this reckless proposal with the same determination we have for the past 40 years.”
Project Background:
- Nevada has not and will not support the Yucca Mountain project.
- The failed Yucca Mountain project, which bipartisan Nevada leaders have opposed for decades because of flaws with the site and the DOE’s design for the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository, has not been funded since 2011.
- The DOE plan involves transporting at least 77,000 tons of highly radioactive spent fuel from commercial nuclear power reactors across the country to Nevada for entombment in a series of tunnels in porous volcanic rock located above the water table in Yucca Mountain, which is 65 miles from populated areas of Clark County, Nevada.
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