Opinion on nuclear waste in Utah? Speak up

More than 110,000 Utahns have already registered their opinion about the design of a new state quarter — yet just a fraction of that number have let the federal government know what they think about a proposed nuclear waste site.

With the deadline nearing for public comment on a portion of the project in Tooele County that goes through Bureau of Land Management property, state officials urged Utahns to say "no way" to allowing high-level nuclear waste storage.

"In a very real sense, we have an opportunity to put the final nail in the coffin of PFS," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said at a press conference called with members of the state's congressional delegation to declare Friday "No Way Day."

PFS, or Private Fuel Storage, is attempting to store some 44,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel rods on land owned by the Skull Valley Band of the Goshute Indians about 50 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. The plan is widely opposed by government, business and community leaders.

But the public also has an opportunity to weigh in, at least through May 8, the end of the BLM's 90-day comment period. At issue is whether PFS should be permitted to transport the waste across a 21-acre parcel of land controlled by the federal agency.

Huntsman said he'd like to see as many Utahns contact the BLM as those who expressed a preference about the design of the state quarter set for release next year. "Imagine if we got that many," the governor said, "what the impact would be."

Pam Schuller, who is fielding public comments received by the BLM's Salt Lake field office that will decide whether to grant PFS access, said the number of responses has increased over the past week thanks to a push by members of the congressional delegation and others.

"Every minute, I'm getting a couple of dings on my computer. I'm still counting. It's around 3,000," Schuller told the Deseret Morning News. "Based on what I'm understanding, we're bracing for a deluge."

Just two weeks ago, the number of Utahns who'd contacted the BLM was reportedly less than 100. Schuller said every comment received will be reviewed to determine the public's concerns.

"We are not taking this lightly, not at all," she said. "We have to consider the merits of the case. If the public has information we need to know about, please tell us. We want to make a reasoned and informed decision."