SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD DENIES REQUEST TO REJECT DEPT. OF ENERGY APPLICATION TO BUILD 300-MILE RAIL LINE IN NEVADA

[STBNews@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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>From the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
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The Surface Transportation Board (Board) announced today that it has denied
a request by the State of Nevada (State) to reject the application of the
United States Department of Energy (DOE) for authority to construct and
operate an approximately 300-mile railroad line in Nevada, in the Board
proceeding entitled United States Department of Energy—Rail Construction
and Operation—Caliente Rail Line in Lincoln, Nye, and Esmeralda Counties,
NV, STB Finance Docket No. 35106.  The Board found that DOE's application
was sufficiently complete for this stage of the proceeding.



                       The proposed rail line, to be known as the Caliente
                       Line, would connect an existing line near Caliente,
                       NV to a proposed geologic repository at Yucca
                       Mountain, in Nye County, NV.  The proposed line
                       would allow the DOE to transport spent nuclear fuel
                       and radioactive waste for disposal at the proposed
                       geologic repository, and to provide common carrier
                       rail service to communities situated along the
                       proposed line.



                       In its April 11, 2008 decision in Finance Docket No.
                       35106, the Board adopted a procedural schedule
                       concerning DOE's application.  Today's decision
                       permits the State to amend its filing, but does not
                       extend the procedural schedule.  All interested
                       parties are welcome to file comments in support of
                       or in opposition to the application pursuant to the
                       procedural schedule.



                       The Board issued its decision on the State's
                       requests today, June 27, 2008, in STB Finance Docket
                       No. 35106(
                       http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebDecisionID/38965?OpenDocument
 )
                       .  That decision is available for viewing and
                       downloading, via the agency's Web site at
                       http://www.stb.dot.gov, under "E-Library," then
                       under "Decisions & Notices," beneath the date
                       "6/27/08."



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