Mineral County National Honor Society students submitted a proposal to the Mineral County Repository Planning and Oversight Office asking for a grant for continuing education. Their goal was to survey county residents to determine and compare their responses to previous conducted national surveys regarding nuclear energy and the proposed Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.

Students conducted approximately 200 face-to-face surveys in Mineral County. Survey questions focused on general knowledge of Yucca Mountain, nuclear waste transporation, and nuclear power.

Once the research was completed students compiled the information and presented their findings to the Mineral County Board of County Commissioners.

How did Mineral residents respond?

National Honor Society students conducted the 2008 Mineral County Public Survey: Left to right Courtney Baker, Theora Janis and Andrew Schumann.

Question: Are you familiar with the Yucca Mountain Project and the federal government’s efforts to store spent nuclear fuel in Nevada?

Question 1. Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States?

Nationally, about 64 percent of survey respondents strongly favor and somewhat favor nuclear energy as a means to provide electricity slightly higher than Mineral County survey responses.

Question 2. The United States derives about 17% of its electric power from nuclear generating facilities. France derives 77% of its electricity from nuclear facilities. Select the reasons below that identify why no new nuclear generating facilities have been planned and built in the U.S. since 1978 (more than one answer allowed).

B. Delay at Yucca Mountain is a key obstacle to the nation’s energy future (e.g. the development of more nuclear power plants).

C. Nuclear energy is crucial for the U.S. economy and environment.

Question 4. How confident are you that radioactive waste from America’s nuclear power plants will be transported safely to the Yucca Mountain disposal site. Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?

 

Question 5. Radioactive waste is transported in rugged vault-like containers, under strict regulations, using cautious procedures, and in collaboration with state agencies. In the past 35 years, there have been more than 3,000 shipments of this radioactive waste across a total of nearly 2 million miles, and no radiation leeks. After hearing this statement, how confident are you that the radioactive waste from America’s nuclear power plants will be transported safely to the proposed Yucca Mountain disposal site?

Question 6. Please tell me if you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose building new nuclear power plants to reduce reliance on oil or coal?

Question 7. Should Nevada receive a benefits package or compensation from the federal government, if the Yucca Mountain Project is built.

Question 8. Age of Respondent (survey respondent)