New Envirocare boss a lot like the old

As the legendary rock group The Who said: "Meet the new boss; same as the old boss."

This week it was announced that an outside investment firm, with Utahn and former waste company owner Steve Creamer as a member, will buy Khosrow Semnani's Envirocare, a huge hazardous waste facility in Utah's western desert.

Semnani has been a major player in Utah's political/legislative scene for 25 years. And Creamer, also, had his time on Capitol Hill, where as Envirocare's new boss he may return again.

A study by the Deseret Morning News of contributions to the 104 sitting 2005 legislators shows that the Semnani-owned Envirocare ranks 30th on the list of special interest political donors — giving $17,650 to the winners.

It's probably fair to say that over 20 years or more, Semnani and Envirocare has given millions of dollars to state, federal and local political campaigns, political parties, PACs and public causes.

But the connections of Khos (as he is known to his friends, and he has a lot of friends) go beyond money.

Over the years he's hired (and fired) some of the best-known lobbyists on Capitol Hill.

As of last month, Envirocare's registered lobbyists at the state Elections Office included: former state GOP executive director Spencer Stokes; former GOP Senate president Cap Ferry and his wife, Sue; former GOP House Speaker Craig Moody; and six other well-known lobbyists.

Former House Speaker Nolan Karras, who lost to Jon Huntsman Jr. in the June GOP gubernatorial primary, is Semnani's personal financial investor.

After he left office, former GOP Gov. Norm Bangerter took a private loan from Semnani in a business deal.

Yes, Semnani has friends (and a few enemies) in high places.

Two years ago, Envirocare spent $3 million against a citizens initiative that would have greatly increased hazardous-waste dumping fees (paid at the time only by Envirocare) and given the new tax revenue to public education and several other humanitarian operations. The initiative failed.

Who knows if Semnani will retire from public view after he sells his firm. I don't know Envirocare's debt load, but undoubtedly the millionaire Semnani will be even richer after the sale.

That wealth could go to charities, into new business ventures and even more into Utah political candidates and causes.

Creamer reportedly will become one of the major managers of Envirocare after the sale.

He, too, has a long history in Utah politics.

A 1996 Morning News report on giving to legislative races carries his name as an important donor.