Radioactive Waste May Pass Near You

Getting radioactive waste from nuclear plants around the country to a repository in Nevada would mean that it would pass through population centers on truck, rail or barge.

The Bush administration is looking at possible routes through as many as 45 states. Opponents say everything under consideration would put millions of people at risk in case of accident or terrorist attack.

Radioactive waste would cross the Tappen Zee Bridge in Westchester County, north of New York City, or pass beneath it by barge. Trucks or trains would go through the suburbs of Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. The burgeoning suburbs east of Los Angles sit astride major transportation routes that lead to Nevada.

Supporters of the plan to bury and seal the waste in Yucca Mountain say dangerous materials already are transported safely every day. They say opponents are trying to scare the public.

Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn and other foes planned to testify at a House Transportation subcommittee hearing. They are trying to highlight what they see as disasters-in-waiting if Congress gives the go-ahead to transport nuclear waste to Nevada.

Almost every time a rail accident occurs, Yucca opponents try to broaden their base.

Following Tuesday's crash of commuter and freight trains in suburban Los Angles, Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said, "The death toll and environmental damage that could result from an accident shipping high-level nuclear waste could be much more devastating."