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Nuclear Waste Disposal: How The Concerned Public Is Involved In Decision Making

Nuclear Waste Disposal: How the Concerned Public is Involved in Decision Making

Thesis Statement: Nuclear waste disposal is a complex process and it requires the cooperation from the public sector to aid the government and the scientists in order to ensure safe and successful nuclear waste disposal programs.

               
I. Nuclear Waste Disposal: The Players and the Challenge

A. DOE responsible for disposal
B. Other entities concerned (public)
C. Problems concerning waste disposal (toxicity, costs, technical difficulties etc)
D. The major issues: lack of good communication between public and officials

II. The Challenges of Nuclear Waste Transportation

A. Volume and Radiation
B. Costs
C. Public fear and opposition
D. Scientists vs. People

III. Some Solutions: Integrating the People

A. Scientists + People
B. Some people (immigrants, children) might require specialized communication efforts in order to gain their participation
C. Integrating professionals who can better understand the situation and the problems

Nuclear Waste Disposal: The Players and the Challenge
The department that is responsible for the nuclear waste disposal is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This department has to face certain very complex decisions about how and where to dispose the waste. The transportation of these hazardous materials is also very important and DOE has to come up with the best and safest possible techniques in order to do so. The citizens of the United States are also very concerned when it comes to the disposal of nuclear waste (Riley et al 1993). The most commonly perceived problem about nuclear waste is that it is extremely toxic and hazardous. People are always concerned about being contaminated. Another cleanup issue that is important is that the waste is in very large volumes and this makes its transportation very difficult. There are also very large-scale implications of the potential severe human and environmental...