So waste companies will always be hiring platoons of lobbyists. There will always be political intrigue, not just at the radioactive and hazardous waste levels but also at the municipal and household waste levels. Competitors will always be fighting and seeking advantages through the Legislature. Utah's structure almost guarantees political gamesmanship and insider dealing. If you want to be in the waste disposal game, you better be ready for big-time politics.

So good luck to the new owners. They have plenty of political clout themselves with Sorenson Capital (Fraser Bullock and Steve Young, among others) and Peterson Partners (Joel Peterson and Jordan Clements). These are heavy hitters who will likely be successful in the political wars ahead.

Pignanelli: In addition to July 24 (Pioneer Day) and Jan. 4 (Statehood Day), Utah now has another commemoration: Jan. 31, Liberation Day. On that day, when Envirocare was sold, Utahns were liberated from the potential of B and C radioactive waste and a blemished legacy.

Envirocare began as a simple project to store radioactive waste from Salt Lake County. Within several years, the company was the largest recipient of low-level radioactive waste in the country. This expansion is described as fulfillment of the "American dream" for Khosrow Semnani — whose determination, intelligence and incredible charm are undeniable. Yet, Utah's relationship with Envirocare and Semnani — its prior sole owner — is hardly a source of pride.

From the beginning, environmental activists and business leaders expressed concern over state policy regarding Envirocare. In 1991, a handful of lawmakers (including me) demanded a legislative audit of Envirocare operations. The report made minor recommendations regarding safety violations but raised serious questions regarding the procurement of the land for the dump. In 1997, Utahns learned Semnani made large payments and personal loans to regulators in order to obtain the necessary permits.

State leaders should have used this crisis as an opportunity to develop a concrete public policy toward activities in the Tooele desert. Instead, elected officials from both parties excused Mr. Semnani's behavior because he was an immigrant and victim of bureaucratic aggression. (Other newcomers to this country are not entitled to a similar exemption.) In 2002, Initiative 1 (for which I served as campaign director) forced Utahns to deal with the ethical, tax and environmental issues surrounding Envirocare. The initiative had its flaws, but at least Utahns finally learned what was happening inside the state.