Because the PFS facility is privately owned and operated, it would be not be allowed to ship waste or store it in Utah, according to Hatch's language.

But because Yucca Mountain is a federal facility, it would not be affected.

Hatch defended his support for Yucca Mountain, saying he did not want to "kick the administration in the teeth right now when they're for Yucca Mountain."

And unlike Bennett, he does not believe opponents of Yucca Mountain can carry the day.

"Sen. Reid can't deliver. And that's the problem," Hatch said.

Hatch said he thinks it's important for him to "hold tough and keep working, not give up." He said he is making headway with the White House, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Congress and even some members of the nuclear industry in working against Skull Valley.

Like the rest of the Utah delegation, Hatch said he also supports reprocessing and leaving the waste on site, or at DOE facilities.

But the waste issue is politically difficult, he said, adding the administration is "committed to Yucca Mountain." Hatch said he has had "innumerable meetings with top-level people" on the matter and will continue to have more.

"We will do everything under the sun to stop it," he added, speaking of PFS.

Jason Groenewold, director of the anti-nuclear group Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, said that eight years into the fight against the PFS repository, "it's good to see specific legislation being introduced to block nuclear waste storage in Skull Valley."

Groenewold hoped Hatch would consider joining the rest of the Utah congressional delegation and the Nevada delegation in opposing the Yucca Mountain site by "saying the West should not be the nation's nuclear waste dumping ground."

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