< p>FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — U.S. nuclear regulators say they'll hold a hearing on whether a proposed addition to DTE Energy Co.'s Fermi nuclear plant in southeastern Michigan would harm the habitat of an endangered snake.

The Atomic Safety & Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the hearing will consider whether the eastern fox snake would be at risk during construction of the proposed Fermi 3 plant.

The existing Fermi 2 plant is in Monroe County's Frenchtown Township, near Monroe.

The Monroe Evening News (http://bit.ly/YRYKkl ) says the snake lives along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Environmental and anti-nuclear groups say an environmental impact statement for the new plant lacks specifics on how DTE will protect the snake.

DTE spokesman Guy Cerullo says Michigan environmental regulators have approved the company's plans for protecting the snake.