Locus, equity, and the West Valley nuclear wastes

As a case study in locational equity, the West Valley story, while still incomplete, illustrates some major dimensions of the radioactive waste problem. There are diverse interested parties in radioactive waste management, and their inter-relationships are complex. The gains and losses are complex, with some corporations, some governmental institutions, and some local residents benefiting, with others losing, and yet others with mixed balance sheets. Since the waste eventually ends up in someone's back yard, there is almost surely a mismatch between the diverse locational interests and those institutions that propose to represent them. The legal, social, and political complexities rival the significant technical problems. 17 references, 4 figures, 6 tables