Deseret News candidate questionnaire: U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon

"For example, I have co-sponsored, with Congressmen Bishop and Matheson, the Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste Storage Act of 2007, and the Spent Nuclear Fuel On-Site Storage Security Act of 2005. Both pieces of legislation would require spent nuclear fuel to be stored in a certified facility on site of any nuclear power plant, ensuring that waste can be legally stored where produced and not assembled and sent to a particular repository like some tried to do in Utah. In 2005, I, along with U.S. Sens. Orrin G. Hatch and Bob Bennett, and Reps. Jim Matheson and Rob Bishop sent a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission asking it to reject a Private Fuel Storage consortium's license request to store high-level nuclear waste in Skull Valley and added an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to stop the project from being developed. I support nuclear power, but if you support nuclear power you must also address the issue of waste disposal and that is why I have supported these measures so as to make nuclear power a reality and not just a rhetorical talking point."

18 — In your opinion, is global warming a fact? If not, what do you think is happening, if anything, to the Earth's climate?

"Global climate change is happening, but it has always happened. The earth has warmed and cooled. I believe the jury is still out as to what affect human activity has on this phenomenon. The climate change lobby is an entrenched special interest with a financial and ideological stake in a particular scientific outcome. I also do not believe so-called "Cap and Trade" legislation is the way to address our environmental issues. We must be faithful stewards of our air, water, and natural beauty. Americans deserve clean air, clean water, and open spaces. Protecting these principles should not be driven by politically vested special interests, or former vice-presidents. Technological advancements in the free market have done more to clean our air, water, and ground than has the government. Having said that, I do believe the government has a role to play in ensuring private entities do not harm citizens or expose them to danger. God has blessed America with abundant resources and beauty and we have a duty to be responsible users of that God-given bounty."

19 — Why would you make a better congressman than your Republican opponent?

"There are many reasons why I would make a better Congressman than my Republican opponent.

"1. I have been a lifelong conservative — Working to elect Republicans, working under President Reagan in the Interior Department, defeating an incumbent Democrat in my first election, and working to impeach President Bill Clinton as a House manager. Washington changes people, as we have seen too often. Thus, it is important to act consistently and on a solid foundation of principle. I have a long history of conservative and principled action.