NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

Washington, DC 20555-001 E-mail: opa@nrc.gov

Web Site: http://www.nrc.gov/OPA

No. 00-078 April 28, 2000

NRC LICENSING BOARD TO HOLD HEARING IN UTAH

ON PROPOSED NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE FACILITY

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has scheduled a hearing

beginning Monday, June 19, in Salt Lake City on the application of Private Fuel Storage, L.L.C. (PFS)

for a license to construct and operate a spent nuclear reactor fuel storage facility on the reservation of

the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians in Skull Valley, Utah, about 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake

City. In addition, the Board is providing an opportunity for members of the public to make brief oral

statements in June and July in Salt Lake City and Tooele, Utah.

The Board will conduct the evidentiary hearing on certain issues that have been raised in this

proceeding, currently scheduled to include financial assurance, inadequate thermal design, emergency

planning, and decommissioning. During the hearing, the Licensing Board will receive testimony and

exhibits and allow the cross-examination of witnesses.

Intervenors who have been admitted as parties to the hearing are the Skull Valley Band of

Goshute Indians, Ohngo Gaudadeh Devia, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Southern

Utah Wilderness Alliance, and the State of Utah.

The hearing is open to the public for observation, except for those parts dealing with

confidential proprietary information.

The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. (MDT) on June 19 in the Hilton Salt Lake City, Wasatch

Room, Mezzanine Level, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City. It will continue from day-to-day at the

same location until concluded.

The sessions at which members of the public may make brief oral presentations (known as “oral

limited appearance statements”) are as follows:

-- Friday, June 23 - - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (MDT) and 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the same location

as above in the Hilton Salt Lake City.

-- Saturday, June 24 (if sufficient interest) - - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the same location.

-- Friday, June 30 - - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Tooele High School

Auditorium, 240 West Buffalo Blvd., Tooele, Utah.

-- Saturday, July 1 (if sufficient interest) - - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Tooele High School

Auditorium.
During these time periods, any person not a party to the proceeding will be able to make an oral

statement setting forth his or her position on matters of concern relating to this proceeding. Although

these statements do not constitute testimony or evidence, the Board said they may help in the

deliberations of the Board and the parties in connection with the issues under consideration.

The time allowed for each limited appearance statement will usually be no more than five

minutes, but may be further limited depending on the number of requests to speak.

Persons who submit written requests to make an oral statement will be given priority. Written

requests for such preregistration should be received by Wednesday, May 31, and should specify the

session during which the requestor wishes to speak. The requests should be submitted by mail to the

Office of the Secretary, Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001; by fax to 301/415-1101; or by e-mail to hearingdocket@nrc.gov

In addition, a copy of the written request should be sent by mail to Administrative Judge G.

Paul Bollwerk, III, Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, Mail Stop T-3F23, U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001; by fax to 301415-5599; or by e-mail to

gpb@nrc.gov

If, during a limited appearance session, all speakers present have made a presentation, the

Board may end the session early. It may cancel the Saturday sessions if there has not been a sufficient

showing of public interest, as reflected by the number of preregistered speakers.

The Licensing Board will also accept written limited appearance statements submitted at any

time. Such statements should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, with a copy to Judge Bollwerk,

using the above methods.

Licensing Board members are G. Paul Bollwerk, III, Chairman; Dr. Jerry R. Kline; and Dr.

Peter S. Lam.

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