Utah to file appeal of nuclear repository ruling

Jason Groenewold, director of the Health Environment Alliance of Utah, met with the governor on the issue Monday. He said Huntsman is "clearly concerned about the license that was issued."

Huntsman was not surprised by the NRC action, he added, "but very much committed to fighting it."

He believes Huntsman feels it is an important part of his work as governor to oppose the project, "and that a key strategy is to build alliances with other Western states, starting with Nevada, so we work together to keep nuclear wastes from being dumped here."

Groenewold welcomed the church statement.

"We need everyone and every resource available to fight this," he said, "and the church has tremendous credibility, not only within the state but throughout the country."

The church concern "helps leverage opposition in other key areas," he said.

Steve Erickson, director of the watchdog group Citizens Education Project, also welcomed the church statement. He said he hopes it "might spur our senators, especially, to reassess their position" concerning the permanent repository proposed for Yucca Mountain, Nev.

"We need to stick with Nevada in this fight," he said. Utah should join with Nevadans, such as Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., to find a way to protect "the entire Great Basin and the nation," said Erickson.

A method of storing the spent fuel rods in dry casks at the nuclear power plants that used them has been working for the industry, he said. "It will continue working for the industry."

Erickson warned that the Yucca Mountain project seems to be in serious trouble. If it were to collapse, that could leave PFS as the only site for such a national storage facility.

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