Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Overview

The video explores the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico, where the US government stores low-level nuclear waste. The waste, including items contaminated with plutonium, is buried in ancient salt beds, which are expected to seal the waste over time. The video discusses the long-term dangers of plutonium, the unique nature of WIPP, and the debate over expanding the site to include high-level waste. Environmental concerns are raised due to nearby oil and gas activities. Local residents and politicians have mixed reactions, with some supporting the jobs WIPP provides and others fearing environmental risks. A commission appointed by President Obama is considering WIPP as a potential site for future nuclear waste disposal.

Where is the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) located?

• Arizona

• New Mexico

• Nevada

• Texas

What type of nuclear waste is primarily stored at WIPP?

• Medical waste

• Low-level waste

• Spent nuclear fuel

• High-level waste

Which historical project contributed to some of the waste stored at WIPP?

• Apollo Program

• Manhattan Project

• Operation Desert Storm

• Project Mercury

What natural feature helps to seal the nuclear waste at WIPP?

• Sand

• Clay

• Granite

• Salt

How long is plutonium-239 expected to remain hazardous?

• 100,000 years

• 24,000 years

• 10,000 years

• 1,000 years

What is a major concern for expanding WIPP according to some New Mexicans?

• Lack of funding

• Active oil and gas fields

• Insufficient storage space

• Proximity to urban areas

What method is used by the oil and gas industry that could affect WIPP?

• Deep sea drilling

• Open-pit mining

• Surface mining

• Hydraulic fracturing

Who has been monitoring WIPP for decades?

• Environmental Protection Agency

• Don Hancock

• Greenpeace

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission

What is the role of the expert panel appointed by President Obama?

• To regulate nuclear waste transportation

• To manage WIPP operations

• To oversee nuclear power plants

• To recommend a site for spent reactor fuel

What is a potential future option for nuclear waste disposal in the US?

• Storing waste in urban areas

• Using the New Mexico salt beds

• Exporting waste to other countries

• Burning waste in incinerators