EPA values public opinion

Suzanne Struglinski

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005 | 7:07 a.m.

To comment on the EPA's proposed radiation standard for Yucca Mountain, you can e-mail a-and-r-docket@epa.gov and specify "to the attention of Docket ID No. OAR-2005-0083."

Comments can be mailed to EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Air and Radiation Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West, Mail Code 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Attention Docket ID No. OAR-2005-0083.

The agency does not have to consider comments received after Nov. 21, but can do so at its discretion.

WASHINGTON -- When Environmental Protection Agency officials say they listen to every comment raised in the public hearings about the Yucca Mountain radiation standard, they mean it.

The last time the agency proposed a radiation standard it took two years to take public comment, respond and issue the final rule.

During the 90-day public comment period, the agency received 69 written comments and heard from 28 speakers at hearings in Washington, Las Vegas, Amargosa Valley and Kansas City, Mo. The EPA continued to accept comments after that, though.

The agency released a 220-page report specifically outlining the government responses to comments it received.

However, that rule was overturned by a federal appeals court.

Last week the EPA, which issued the revised rule Aug. 22, finished its series of public hearings. People can still respond in writing until Nov. 21.

According to the EPA's "e-docket," a Web site that contain all the documents related to the proposed radiation standard, about 90 public comments have been received so far.

Suzanne Struglinski can be reached at (202) 662-7245 or by e-mail at suzanne @ lasvegassun.com.