Maybe it’s time we talk honestly about Yucca Mountain?

By Chuck Muth

For years, just hearing the name “Yucca Mountain” has been enough to stir up fear and frustration in Nevada.

And look, it’s understandable. Nobody wants to feel like their state is being dumped on — literally. But maybe it’s time we stop shouting “No!” out of habit and start asking, “What if?”

Last week, a small group called Mothers for Nuclear held a meeting in Las Vegas.

They aren’t some big-money lobbying group. They’re just a bunch of moms — many with real experience in the nuclear energy field — who believe nuclear power is clean, reliable, and safer than most people think.

Their message was simple: The future doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it could be brighter — and cleaner — if we just gave nuclear a second look.

Now, before anyone starts rolling their eyes, let’s get something straight.

This isn’t about ignoring the past. We know Nevada has a long and painful history with nuclear testing. We know about the Downwinders. We know about the broken trust.

That’s real, and it matters.

But Yucca Mountain is a different conversation. It’s not about blowing things up in the desert. It’s about safely storing waste — waste that already exists — in a secure, science-backed facility.

Here’s a fact that surprises a lot of people: The U.S. Department of Energy says Yucca Mountain is already about 50 percent built.

That’s right. Half the work is done. Billions of dollars have already been spent.

And every year we sit on our hands, waste piles up at power plants across the country — including just across our borders — with nowhere permanent to go.

Another fact: All of the spent nuclear fuel in America could fit on one football field stacked about 10 yards high. That’s it.

We’re not talking about mountains of waste. We’re talking about a small amount of material that’s already tightly sealed and stored. We just need a smart place to put it.

And here’s the kicker: Nevada doesn’t even have nuclear power.

But we’ve been blocking a project that could create good jobs, boost our economy, and bring real money to rural counties that could use the help.

That doesn’t make sense.

Now, critics will say, “Why should Nevada be the nation’s dumping ground?”

Fair question. But what if it’s not a dump? What if it’s a high-tech, well-guarded facility that does the job better than anywhere else can?

What if we take control of the process, negotiate hard, and make sure Nevadans get the benefits we deserve?

Instead of pretending Yucca is off the table, how about we bring it back on — but this time, on Nevada’s terms?

Let’s ask: How much federal funding would it take to modernize nearby infrastructure? How many permanent jobs could it create? Could we turn the site into a hub for nuclear research, energy innovation, and even small modular reactor development?

The point is: There are smart, serious conversations we haven’t had because politicians are too afraid to even say the word “Yucca.”

But we’re Nevadans. We can handle the truth.

And the truth is, saying “no” to everything hasn’t done much to help our state. We’re still facing high gas prices, skyrocketing utility bills, and a healthcare system that’s stretched thin.

So maybe, just maybe, it’s time to say something else.

Like: “Let’s talk.”

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Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, founder of CampaignDoctor.com, and publisher of Nevada News & Views. His views are his own. He can be reached at chuck@chuckmuth.com.