Debate rages over U.S. nuclear dumping ground

(CNN) -- Despite Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's announcement in early January that Nevada's Yucca Mountain is a scientifically sound and suitable site for storing the country's nuclear waste, the controversy over the nuclear dumping ground continues.

A panel of scientists has issued a report raising concerns about the scientific testing conducted at Yucca Mountain. The report lends strength to the arguments of several environmental and scientific groups that assert that the site is unsuitable. The groups allege that insufficient testing has been done to determine whether Yucca Mountain's geological and hydrologic features are adequate to safely store used fuel rods and other radioactive waste from the United States' 103 nuclear power plants.

NEXT@CNN's Natalie Pawelski delved into the pros and cons of storing nuclear waste with two very opposing views. Paul Leventhal represents the Nuclear Control Institute, a watchdog group that opposes the Yucca Mountain site designation. Scott Peterson represents the Nuclear Energy Institute, a policy group that supports the Yucca Mountain site designation. They share their views here.

Dumping Ground Debate: Paul Leventhal

Dumping Ground Debate: Scott Peterson