Department of Energy plans Reno and Carson hearings

The U.S. Department of Energy has confirmed its schedule for hearings on the Yucca Mountain project for Reno and Carson City.

The Capital hearing will be Dec. 2 in the Legislature, Room 4100, beginning at noon and again at 6 p.m.

Officials say the double hearing times are designed to give as many people as possible the chance to participate in hearings.

The Reno hearings are scheduled for Dec. 1 at the Lawlor Events Center on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Again, times are noon and 6 p.m.

The first hour of each hearing will be devoted to an overview of the draft environmental impact statement which found no "show stopper" that would prevent building a nuclear dump beneath yucca Mountain 100 miles north of Las Vegas. The remainder of the time in each of the four hearings in the two cities will be devoted to receiving public comment on the proposal.

Time for oral comments can be scheduled by calling 800-967-3477. Those unable to attend the hearings can write, fax or e-mail comments to the Department of Energy.

The correspondence should go to: Wendy R. Dixon, EIS Project Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 30307, North Las Vegas 89036-0307.

The fax number is 800-967-0739. The e-mail address is www.ymp.gov