Foreword
Since the 1950s, Americans have relied more and more on nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants now supply about one-fifth of the electricity we use. Yet the industry faces an uncertain future; no new plants have been ordered since 1978, and more than 100 planned reactors have been cancelled. One of the most controversial aspects of nuclear power is the disposal of radioactive waste, which can remain hazardous for thousands of years. As the fuel that generates electricity in nuclear reactors is used up, or "spent," it is stored at reactor sites across the country. While such storage is generally considered…
