NRC: News Release - 2004-020 - NRC to Hold Public Meeting in Eunice, N.M., on Environmental Review Process for Proposed Uranium Enrichment Plant

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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
Washington, DC 20555-0001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
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No. 04-020

February 9, 2004

NRC TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING IN EUNICE, N.M., ON ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR PROPOSED URANIUM ENRICHMENT PLANT
Printable Version

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting March 4 in Eunice, N.M., to seek information on environmental issues to be included in the environmental review of a uranium enrichment facility proposed for Lea County.

The meeting will be held at the Eunice Community Center, 1115 Avenue I, from 7 - 10 p.m. It is part of the public “scoping” process for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The scoping process is designed to determine the range of actions, alternatives, and potential impacts to be considered in the EIS and to identify the significant issues related to the proposed enrichment plant.

Louisiana Energy Services (LES), an international consortium of energy companies, submitted a license application and an environmental report for the proposed gas centrifuge plant, to be called the National Enrichment Facility, in December. The NRC formally accepted and docketed the application on January 22. On January 30, the Commission issued an order establishing a 30-month time frame for review of the application.

The following issues have been tentatively identified for analysis in the EIS, although the final list may omit some or include others based on public input: land use, transportation, geology and soils, water resources, ecology, air quality, noise, historical and cultural resources, visual and scenic resources, socioeconomics, environmental justice, public and occupational health, and waste management.

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments on environmental issues relating to the proposed facility until March 18 to the Chief, Rules and Directive Branch, Mail Stop T6-D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Please note “Docket Number 70-3103" on the comments. Due to the current mail situation in Washington, commentors are encouraged to send their comments via electronic mail to LES_EIS@nrc.gov.

Information about the LES project, including the license application and environmental review, is available through the NRC’s Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/lesfacility.html.