A community meeting was held at Trousdale County High School on Monday night to discuss the proposed uranium facility planned by Louisiana Energy Services.

Demonstrators, both for and against, were on hand outside of the school as a reported 200 individuals listened to answers to pre submitted questions concerning the facility.

During the meeting, LES spokesman George Dials pointed out the record of safety that the county has at its other three facilities.

Environmentalist Will Callaway, an opponent to the proposed facility, focused his comments on the radioactive waste and storage of this waste.

On Monday, both LES and The Citizens for Smart Choices, a local group formed to oppose the project, opened offices in Hartsville.

According to a report in the Hartsville Vidette, Macon countian Doyle Gaines was scheduled to begin working in the office this week.

The LES office in Trousdale County is dedicated to " trying to get the word out and communicate ... It's a very benign process. There is nothing to be afraid of," according to Nan Kilkeary, spokeswoman for Louisiana Energy Services.

The plant would take five years to build and officials said it's not a done deal. A town in Alabama decided not to allow the company to build there.

According to the information credited to the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, LES has requested a hearing on October 3, 2002, to discuss "site characterization information applicable to a gas centrifuge license application".

The Nuclear Information and Resource Services has accused LES of asking the Nuclear Regulatory Committee for a ruling that would bar the public from raising relevant issues in public hearings related to the uranium enrichment plant LES plans to build near Hartsville.

According to the Nuclear Information Resource Service, the ruling being sought by LES would limit the public from addressing issues such as environmental justice, the financial qualifications of the LES consortium, the disposition of thousands of tons of radioactive and/or hazardous waste.

LES has stated that they were not trying to change the rules when they asked in April of this year for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to address these issues. They were simply asking them to address issues that might arise in future licensing hearings.

An official with the Nuclear Regulatory Committee agrees with LES on the matter.

Additional community meetings are planned.