Moratorium urged on N-waste

Critics of a Goshute Indian proposal to store nuclear waste in Tooele County are calling for a moratorium on further considerations for the temporary storage of 44,000 tons of highly radioactive spent fuel rods.

"I can't imagine a scenario under which we find it acceptable to store high-level nuclear waste when the leaders or individuals in charge for managing the facility are facing . . . the charges raised here," said Dianne Nielson, executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

But Private Fuel Storage (PFS) , a consortium of utility companies wanting to store the waste on the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indian Reservation, said the federal indictments that Tribal Chairman Leon Bear and others face have no impact on the contract.

"Our contractual obligation is with the Skull Valley Band, not any particular individual or individuals," PFS spokeswoman Sue Martin said.

But Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, believes the allegations will shed a dim light on the proposal.

"This thing stunk from day one," he said. "This might highlight that this is a horrifically bad idea. I have to think that these indictments will let the air out of the tires of PFS."

A license application to store the waste is under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, an arm of the NRC, has ruled in favor of PFS on some issues and in favor of the state on others.

Former Gov. Mike Leavitt has has led the state's efforts to block the waste. And critics are calling on federal regulators to take a serious look at the charges.

"The licensing process should be suspended until this mess is sorted out," said Jason Groenewold, an anti-nuclear waste advocate. "It doesn't look good when the star player has been indicted."

Added Nielson, "I'm hopeful the federal agency including the NRC and the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) and others would be weighing the gravity of this situation."

In 1997, Bear signed a deal with PFS to lease 820 acres on the tribal reservation in an effort to store spent nuclear-fuel rods.

The plan has faced political opposition. Gov. Olene Walker has pledged to continue Leavitt's battle to fight against the proposal.

The renewed criticism of the proposal surfaced Thursday after several members of the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes were indicted on fraud, theft and tax charges.