Group asks guv to veto nuclear waste bill

A handful of Utah residents are calling on the governor to veto a bill that they say would "roll out the welcome mat" for more nuclear waste to be stored in the state.

The measure, SB155, passed through the House on Wednesday with a veto-proof majority a week after the Senate approved the measure last week with a veto-proof majority.

With the legislation, the governor and state lawmakers would no longer have authority to approve any changes to how EnergySolutions stores waste on a parcel of its landfill in Tooele County. Oversight would still be required if the company wanted to expand operations or store waste that is more radioactive than what it currently stores. State enviornmental officials would still have regualtory oversight of EnergySolutions operations.

Vanessa Pierce, director of the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, held a press conference Thursday with about 20 other Utahns who are concerned about the bill. She said the bill would allow EnergySolutions to stack piles of waste several stories high.

"With passage of this bill, lawmakers sent a clear message that we don't care how much nuclear waste that EnergySolutions piles," Pierce said. "Vetoing this bill will keep a hand on the door for Utahns who are concerned about rolling out the welcome mat for more nuclear waste."

During the press conference, Pierce stood by a poster of a license plate that spoofed the state's new slogan. Instead of saying "Life Elevated," the license plate said "Waste Elevated," and included the phrase: "greatest glow on Earth."

Mike Mower, spokesman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., said Thursday that the governor's staff has met with members of Environment Alliance. But Huntsman has not made a decision about whether he will veto or sign the measure, Mower said.

The governor has nine days to decide whether to veto or sign SB155.

"This is an important decision, and the governor is reviewing information he's received on this issue in detail," Mower said.

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com