Update

Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following in August 2010:

Safety Evaluation Report Related to Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada Volume 1: General Information

On March 5th, 2010 Department of Energy (DoE) filed a motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to withdraw the application to build and operate Yucca Mountain.

About one year ago President Barack Obama cut all funding for the DoE's work towards realizing Yucca Mountain apart from answering questions from the NRC related to the license application. However, "President Obama is fully committed to ensuring that the nation meets our long-term storage obligations for nuclear waste," said Scott Blake Harris of the DoE. The route for this is to be the 15-member Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on America's Nuclear Future, nominated last month (Feb 2010). It is to evaluate fuel-cycle and disposal options, including the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel, but will not touch on any siting concerns. Work for the group begins with its first meeting on 25-26 March and will continue until 2012.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on America´s Nuclear Future - President Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu has established the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future -

"The Commission should conduct a comprehensive review of policies for
managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, including all alternatives
for the storage, processing, and disposal of civilian and defense used nuclear
fuel and nuclear waste. This review should include an evaluation of advanced
fuel cycle technologies that would optimize energy recovery, resource utilization,
and the minimization of materials derived from nuclear activities in
a manner consistent with U.S. nonproliferation goals." From the January 29, 2010 - Federal Register Notice of Presidential Memorandum on the Commission

Watch Blue Ribbon meeting video webcasts provided at this link

June 30, 2010
June 30: Ruling keeps Yucca Mountain alive
"We conclude that Congress directed both that DOE file the application, and that the NRC consider the application and issue a final merits-based decision," the judges said. "Unless Congress directs otherwise, DOE may not single-handedly derail the legislated decision-making process by withdrawing the application."