LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says eight petitioners and 299 challenges will be heard during upcoming hearings on the Energy Department's application to open and operate a national nuclear waste dump in Nevada.

The NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards issued an order Monday designating Nevada and California, the Nuclear Energy Institute, Nevada's Clark, Nye and White Pine counties individually, California's Inyo County, and Churchill, Esmeralda, Lander and Mineral counties as a group

Eureka and Lincoln counties in Nevada were named interested governmental participants.

The NRC turned away the Caliente Hot Springs Resort, and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, the tribe's Yucca Mountain Oversight Program and the Native Community Action Council -- at least for now. Hearings are due to begin sometime this year in Las Vegas.

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