Consolidating nearly all of the country's private spent nuclear fuel rods in one above-ground location "creates an enormous financial liability in the event of an accident during transportation or storage," they wrote.

On the other side is Scientists for Secure Waste Storage. A copy of the scientists' position on the matter, sent to the NRC, was forwarded to the White House by Atlantic Legal Foundation, New York City. The scientists group includes two former chairmen of the NRC, a former astronaut and four Nobel laureates.

A cover letter by Martin S. Kaufman, senior vice president of Atlantic Legal Foundation, was addressed to David G. Leitch, deputy counsel to President Bush.

"We write to you because we have been led to understand that last week one or both United States senators from the state of Utah met with officials at the White House to urge the President to override the decision of the ASLB (the commission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board) and, if necessary, of the commission itself," Kaufman wrote.

He addressed issues including reducing America's dependence on foreign oil (through reliance on nuclear power) and respecting the Goshutes' position. Also, after seven years of proceedings, the board examined "all of the safety and environmental concerns put forward by the state of Utah" and determined a license should be issued.

"We urge that the administration not cave in to this political pressure, and allow the regulatory process to take its course," the letter adds. "We note that the state of Utah has been an active and vigorous participant in that process, and should not now try to circumvent it."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com