Yucca Mtn arguments Webcast over next 3 days

Oral arguments begin today in Las Vegas on the Dept. of Energy's application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct an underground geologic repository for the nation’s high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain [right, credit DOE], about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The hearings will be Webcast live at the following sites:

• March 31: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=57076
• April 1: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=57079
• April 2: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=57081

According to the DOE announcement, these oral arguments are part of the adjudicatory proceeding on the Department of Energy’s application submitted to the NRC on June 3, 2008. "Each board consists of three judges, two with legal expertise and one with technical expertise. The three boards will consider and rule upon the admissibility of approximately 320 proposed contentions filed by 14 petitioners. These boards will consider only the standing of the petitioners and the admissibility of the contentions. The merits of any admitted contentions will be considered at a later time."