Stephens Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- The managing contractor for Yucca Mountain on Wednesday announced a schedule of layoffs totalling between 140 and 180 people through June.

Between 70 and 80 employees will receive 30-day job notices early next week, said Ted Feigenbaum, president and general manager of Bechtel SAIC Co.

Another 40-50 will be notified in early March and 30 to 50 more will receive layoff notices from April through June, Feigenbaum said in a message to employees.

Bechtel SAIC is the largest contractor on the Department of Energy nuclear waste program based in Las Vegas.

The company earlier sent notices to 63 workers. Spokesman Jason Bohne said about 20 avoided layoff by accepting transfers to facilities in other states.

Layoff notices to be issued next week will go largely to administrative personnel such as accountants, procurement personnel and computer technicians, Bohne said. Later rounds will involve technical workers, he said.

Energy Department spokesman Allen Benson said DOE still anticipates Yucca Mountain layoffs will total around 500 through later in the year, and will involve other firms on the project.