IN BRIEF

FEDERAL AUDITORS

GAO report: Reliance on casks initially cheaper than Yucca

Federal auditors said Wednesday it would be cheaper to store nuclear waste in concrete casks at the nation's nuclear plants than at Nevada's Yucca Mountain, at least in the short term. But in the long run, relying on the casks could turn out to be more expensive.

Nevada lawmakers said the analysis by the Government Accountability Office reinforces their contention that taxpayers are better off finding an alternative to the Yucca Mountain repository. Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign requested the report, along with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

The GAO report states that most of the costs for Yucca Mountain would occur up front. Meanwhile, the costs associated with onsite storage would be back-loaded because the waste would have to be repackaged every 100 years for safety or because the U.S. may end up building a permanent repository after all. The delay could add to the cost of building a repository beyond what's estimated for Yucca Mountain.

DEADLINE DEC. 21

Henderson officials seek entries to photo contest

Henderson officials have issued a challenge to local shutterbugs: sum up our city in a snapshot.

Nevada's second-largest city is accepting entries for a photography competition it's calling "What Makes Henderson Great!"

There is no cost to enter and photographers may submit up to five images. The deadline is Dec. 21.

There are no restrictions on submissions or themes. The only requirement is that images must be taken within Henderson city limits.

Entry forms are available at www.cityofhenderson.com and must be submitted with each entry.

Images can be submitted by e-mail to photo.contest@cityofhenderson.com or by mail to: City of Henderson; Attn: Photo Contest; P.O. Box 95050, MSC 141; Henderson, NV 89009-5050.