Nuclear Dump Permit Request to Be Delayed

The Energy Department will probably not submit its license application to build the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump until March at the earliest, months later than the most recent target date, according to an updated project timeline.

The Energy Department plans to update a Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing board this week on the timeline concerning the Nevada proposal, a department official said.

The department had hoped to submit the license application last December, and it certified in June 2004 that it had made required background documents for the application available. That certification was rejected as inadequate, and a December 2005 application date has now slipped as well.