Waste bill may stir 'hot' debate

A legislative task force promised that waste issues would not dominate the 2004 session. But that's something easier said than done.

A bill that could stir up some debate is one that primarily targets radioactive waste giant Envirocare of Utah.

Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, plans to introduce legislation that would require Envirocare or any other waste disposal firm to receive legislative and governor approval before accepting any waste "hotter" in radioactivity than what is allowed under its current federal and state license.

The bill is still being drafted so it's uncertain how the law will define "hotter" waste, whether it be measured by its radioactive half-life or picocuries, a measurement of radioactivity. Also uncertain is if it will target waste that contains radium-226, an isotope outlawed in Utah because of its hot radioactivity and the time it takes to decay.

"The devil is in the details," Urquhart said. "When we say 'hotter' are we talking half-life? Picocuries? That's what we have to figure out. Not everyone agrees."

Urquhart may have a hard time convincing some lawmakers influenced by Envirocare's well-heeled lobbyist. But he is optimistic his law will win passage. Perhaps he has a reason to be upbeat. He has public support and possibly, Envirocare's as well.

A Dan Jones & Associates poll conducted for the Deseret News and KSL-TV found that 81 percent of those questioned would strongly favor or somewhat favor a law that requires legislative and governor approval for specific types of radioactive waste that now need only regulatory approval.

The poll of 408 Utahns has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

On the face of it, Envirocare isn't opposed to the law.

"We haven't seen the text of the bill so we're reserving judgment," said Tim Barney, senior vice president of Envirocare. "We think it's unnecessary, but we don't see the harm."

Rep. Jim Gowans, D-Tooele, is skeptical.

"I don't know what he (Urquhart) is getting at," Gowans said. "I do think it's unnecessary."

Currently Envirocare's landfill in Tooele County primarily handles Class A wastes, which consists of mostly dirt that's slightly contaminated with radioactivity from government cleanup projects.