Mineral County High School students completed approximately 209 surveys in order to ascertain the views and knowledge of the repository program and nuclear energy. The Mineral County Community survey focused on questions and issues that have been the subject of national survey efforts related to nuclear energy and Yucca Mountain.

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?

High School students right to left Devin Loughry, Brianna Paulson, and Nicole Mathias.

Click on graphic to see larger view.

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

Question 1. Are you in favor or opposed to a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada?

Question 2. Increasing energy production requires a permanent geologic repository at Yucca Mountain. It could also reduce the Nation’s energy costs and dependence on foreign energy sources. Knowing this would you be in favor or opposed to a repository?

Mineral County Survey Respondent
Response	Frequency	Percent
In Favor	146	69.9
Opposed	63	30.1

 

Question 3. 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?

In 2008, about 74 percent of national survey respondents favored nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide energy in the United States.

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?

Mineral County Survey Respondent
Response	Frequency	Percent
Very confident	77	36.8
Somewhat confident	83	39.8
Not too confident	32	15.3
Not confident at all	17	8.1

 

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?

Age of Respondent (survey respondent)