Lawyers join battle against nuclear waste site

A group of lawyers has banded together to help environmentalists opposed to the expansion of the Envirocare nuclear waste site in Tooele County.

The group is "Trial-lawyers Representing Utah's Environment," which goes by the acronym TRUE, said Jim McConkie and Brad Parker, two of the lawyers, in a written announcement.

Other lawyers in the group are Joseph Steele, Gary Ferguson and Frank Carney, they added. All have had "extensive trial experience, handled cases involving millions of dollars and have been trial lawyers for over 20 years," says the release.

During a telephone interview, McConkie said the group plans to represent the Healthy Environmental Alliance of Utah in a hearing before state regulators concerning proposed Envirocare expansion.

McConkie said he is glad Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. recently announced he would not approve Envirocare's petition to expand. The company needs approval of both the Legislature and the governor for such an action.