Huntsman lets radioactive waste bill take effect

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said today that he would allow a controversial bill dealing with oversight of EnergySolutions' radioactive waste dump in Tooele County to become law without his signature.

Huntsman, who had been lobbied heavily by environmental groups to veto SB155, said the bill is "simply a technical clarification" that would not allow EnergySolutions to expand beyond its current operation.

"It is not the legislation that concerns me, but the nuclear waste industry and its impact on Utah," Huntsman said in a statement.

The bill, SB155, would take the Legislature and governor out of disposal decisions by EnergySolutions on its own property. Supporters of SB155 say it restores a provision that was mistakenly changed. They point out that the normal review process is still required, with approval by state regulators needed for changes.

Opponents say it changes the rules on an important issue and opens the door for more, and hotter, radioactive waste being dumped in the state.

Huntsman said that EnergySolutions would still have to have legislative and gubernatorial approval to move onto a new geographic area or increase in capacity and facility cost, outside of the company's existing Section 32 facility boundary. Nor can EnergySolutions accept hotter, more radioactive waste than already permitted.

"In fact, the last time an expansion beyond Section 32 was attempted, I adamantly opposed and successfully blocked it," Huntsman said.

The bill passed both houses by veto-proof majorities earlier this month and legislative leaders said if the governor had vetoed the measure, lawmakers would have overridden it before adjourning Wednesday at midnight.