Envirocare is fined $750 by state

The state has fined Envirocare $750 and ordered it to bury waste that has piled up at its Tooele County radioactive and hazardous waste disposal facility.

The state Division of Radiation Control cited the company March 9 over the waste.

The backlog of mildly radioactive waste, some in rail cars and some unloaded and awaiting burial, has gotten big enough to fill up to 60 rail cars.

"We stockpile material over the winter, and the size of the stockpile got too big," said Envirocare Vice President Tim Barney.

Barney said the backlog was not a safety issue and that the company expects to complete the state-ordered disposal on time. As part of a routine site review, Envirocare noted the excessive, undisposed waste on March 4.

The company said the cold, wet winter made timely burial impossible and that its crews were busy constructing new disposal cells.

Radiation Control Director Dane Finerfrock said he could have imposed stiffer penalties, including higher fines and a ban on new waste until the site was back in compliance, but the company promptly addressed the problems.

Claire Geddes of Utah Legislative Watch said the fine was minuscule and further evidence of weak regulation in Utah.