That's a big step, Huntsman said.

"It's important. We worked hard on it. We vetted it with all of the other governors. The fact that it survived, I think, says something very good about the momentum that this policy option is getting," he said.

Two governors attending the meeting — both Democrats — said they support Huntsman's stronger stand on the issue. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said the WGA statement could be revised at a future meeting to reflect that stance.

"I'm with Huntsman," Richardson said. "So we'll continue working on this. Maybe we'll propose another one at the November meeting."

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano said she, too, prefers on-site storage. But asked if some of the 18 governors who make up the WGA aren't ready to go that far, Napolitano said, "I think that's a fair statement."

The Arizona governor, who was named chairwoman of the WGA Tuesday, said concerns about transportation and homeland security need to be considered. She cited an accident in Arizona involving the transportation of low-level waste.

"The transportation issues are serious," Napolitano said.

The governors talked energy before ending their meeting, hearing from Bodman as well as a panel of experts. During that session, Huntsman asked the energy secretary about how states should look at renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power.

Bodman didn't have an answer for the Utah governor, suggesting that should be left for "the market to take its rightful role."

Huntsman said later he would like the state to pursue alternative energy sources.

"I'm very open-minded on this subject," he said. "My bias would be to take a very serious look at the renewable options. . . . I think the time is right as the United States, and indeed the region, are thinking through longer-term energy strategies to open this discussion."

Huntsman said he will direct his newly formed energy policy advisory group to study such sources, including geothermal. He said within a few weeks, a state energy adviser should be selected who will work for the governor's economic development office.

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