Risk perceptions associated with a high‐level nuclear waste repository

One of the most significant environmental problems facing the United States, and many other countries, is how to safely store the radiation‐contaminated waste that is a by‐product of nuclear power plants. For several years, the federal government and the state of Nevada have been engaged in a high‐pitched political and scientific battle over the siting of a waste repository at the Yucca Mountain site in that state. Data from a national and regional study confirm that the public has considerable fear of nuclear facilities, particularly a waste repository. This fear exists despite assurances from the scientific community that underground storage could be safe. Part of this fear of risk to health and safety comes from a distrust of government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, to protect the public through adequate control and regulation.