Summary Overview: Public
Health & Safety
Official Department of Energy (“DOE”) reports on the future of the High Level Nuclear Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain continue to predict the demise of the project through licensing termination and budget elimination. President Obama and Energy Secretary Chu have made clear in public statements and actions that Yucca Mountain is no longer a viable option for storage and long-term disposal of high level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
Administration and DOE statements indicate that the recently established Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, led by former Congressman Lee Hamilton and retired General Brent Scowcroft, will conduct a comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, and will provide recommendations for developing a safe, long-term solution to managing the nation’s used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. On March 3, 2010, by direction of Dr. Chu, the DOE filed a motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to withdraw the license application for a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain with prejudice, the validity of which is being challenged by members of Congress and various parties. The President’s fiscal year 2011 budget request eliminates funding for the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, the project’s administrative oversight agency. Several states, to include South Carolina and Washington, are considering filing suit to halt the proposed shut down. These and other states, agencies and utilities are also contemplating legal actions regarding the disposition if the Nuclear Waste Fund. No evidence has surfaced of any congressional interest in repealing the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the underlying law designating Yucca Mountain as the repository for the nation’s high-level nuclear waste. Expectations are that the final disposition of the multi-faceted Yucca Mountain project is still some months, or perhaps even years, ahead.
The Southern Nevada Health District reports that it has concluded its series of scheduled influenza surveillance reports for the 2009–2010 season. Influenza activity, through the end of March, continued at the low levels seen at the beginning of the surveillance season. Although enhanced influenza surveillance, including investigation of hospitalizations and deaths, has concluded, the health district will continue to conduct enhanced pediatric laboratory surveillance for influenza throughout the year. In addition, laboratory-confirmed cases are reportable to the health district throughout the year. Further detailed information is available at: www.snhd.org. The Health District continues to recommend that Clark County residents be immunized for seasonal and influenza A (H1N1). Information on immunization is also available from the District’s website.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) violent crime statistics for the first quarter show a continued decrease from the same period in 2009. Year-to-date, violent crimes have fallen 22.5 percent compared to the previous year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT QUARTER
INDICATOR BRIEF: |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY
HIGHLIGHTS: |
|
|
|
1. |
|
On March 3, 2010, by direction of Dr. Chu, the Department of Energy filed a motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to withdraw the license application for a high-level nuclear
waste repository at Yucca Mountain. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
|
Influenza activity, through the end of March, continued at the low levels seen at the beginning of the surveillance season. |
|
|
|
|
3. |
|
Year-to-date, violent crimes have fallen 22.5 percent compared to the previous year. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
