WASHINGTON (AP) - The Energy Department gave the go-ahead for a nuclear waste dump in the Nevada desert Thursday, contending the site is scientifically sound and that "compelling national interests" override the state's strong objections.

Nevada would need the support of Congress to have any hope of thwarting the proposed dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Under a 1982 law, Nevada can veto the project, but that could be overridden by Congress.

Congress singled out Yucca Mountain 15 years ago as the only site to be studied for the nation's nuclear waste repository. Outraged Nevada politicians said the legislation passed only because lawmakers didn't want the waste in their states.

The commercial waste, about 40,000 tons and growing at the rate of 2,000 tons a year, now is warehoused at reactor sites in 31 states, although the government was supposed to have taken it off the industry's hands four years ago.

"This decision stinks," said Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, a Republican.

Despite Abraham's assurances, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said there was "a mountain of evidence that the site is unsuitable" for keeping materials that will remain radioactive for more than 10,000 years and eventually could seep into groundwater.

Nevada officials argue that despite 13 years of intense scientific study, federal experts have not shown adequately that the public can be protected from future radiation. A myriad issues have been raised from worries over future volcanic activity, possible earthquakes and uncertainty about the ability of the rock to keep wastes out of groundwater over the millennia.

Energy Department scientists contend those issues either have been resolved or can be dealt with as a final design for the facility goes through the licensing process.

He said increased unease about terrorist attacks makes it even more important that the nation's radioactive waste be consolidated.

Since Congress narrowed the potential locations for a nuclear waste dump to only Nevada in 1987, eliminating potential sites in Washington state and Texas, the government has spent more than $6.8 billion studying Yucca Mountain.

A tunnel has been dug into the rock, where 900 feet beneath the surface massive heaters have sought to simulate the 400-degree temperature that can be expected from the highly radioactive wastes once they are put in a labyrinth of underground bunkers. The purpose is to learn the effect on the rocks.

Reid and other Nevada officials, as well as many environmentalists, contend the waste should be kept at reactor sites where some power utilities already have begun to build aboveground temporary storage in concrete bunkers. Most of the 40,000 tons of waste at reactors, however, is kept in spent fuel pools not designed for permanent storage, and the industry has argued the government made a promise to take the waste and, so far, has reneged on that pledge.

On the Net:

Yucca Mountain Project: http://www.ymp.gov/

Department of Energy: http://www.energy.gov/

State of Nevada nuclear waste site: http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/

Yucca Mountain is seen from the air on Dec 27, 2001 near Jackass Flats, Nev. The road running across the top of the ridge, roughly parallels the tunnel inside which is proposed to hold the radioactive waste. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham is due to tell President Bush within weeks perhaps days whether Yucca Mountain is a suitable place to entomb the nation's spent nuclear fuel. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

First-graders from Amargosa Elementary School line up between classes Thursday, Jan 10, 2002, in Amargosa Valley, Nev., with Yucca Mountain in the background. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham Thursday decided to recommend that the nation's nuclear waste be stored at the site, which is about 10 miles from the school.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Calves feed at the Ponderosa Dairy Thursday, Dec 27, 2001 in Amargosa Valley, Nev. The dairy produces 25 percent of the milk in Nevada and is 12 miles from the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. The mountain range where it is located is visible in the background. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Bill Barrackman looks over nut buds from trees in the family pistachio orchard as employee Tito Garcia harrows in the background Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002 in Amargosa Valley, Nev. The organic pistachio orchard is located 10 miles from the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)