Museum hosting National Nuclear Science speakers tonight

A series of speakers and displays will be at the Pahrump Valley Museum from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today as part of National Nuclear Science Week.

Nye County Commission nuclear waste liaison Dan Schinhofen said the intent is to interest youths in jobs in the nuclear industry. A county resolution said the program recognizes Nye County’s role in the nation’s nuclear program.

Speakers will make presentations from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by a moderator-hosted panel discussion and questions from the audience.

Speakers will include Nick Aquilina, speaking on weapons programs; Scott Wade addressing environmental management; Steven Curtis speaking on nuclear medicine; Alex Barzilov with a talk on nuclear power and Mike Voegele, the former head of the Yucca Mountain project for Bechtel, speaking on nuclear waste.

National Nuclear Science Week is a national celebration to focus interest on all aspects of nuclear science. An estimated 18 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed each year in the U.S.

There are 104 operating nuclear reactors in the U.S. that employ an average of 700 people in 31 states. One-fifth of the nation’s electricity is generated by nuclear power.

A resolution passed by Nye County Commissioners declared the possession of nuclear weapons will continue to be the cornerstone of the nation’s defense and there is a continued threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.

It notes the Nevada National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site, is wholly contained within Nye County and supports the nuclear weapons program.

The county resolution states Yucca Mountain is the designated site for a geologic repository for the disposal of used nuclear fuel and defense high-level waste.