Candidates debate waste

EnergySolutions' low-level nuclear waste operations are confusing to at least one other Utahn — 2nd Congressional District GOP candidate Bill Dew.

On a KSL-TV debate Tuesday night, Dew said it was his understanding that the hazardous waste firm may bring foreign waste to Utah, but it would then be reconditioned and sent on to Japan for final disposal.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, Dew's opponent, said: "That is just wrong." Matheson said it is clear that EnergySolutions would bring not only Italian waste to Utah but ow-level waste from other countries as well and then would concentrate and bury it at the firm's Tooele County landfill.

Dew said he supported the firm's foreign waste proposal. Matheson said he was dead set against it and would try next year to pass federal legislation to prohibit it.

— Bob Bernick Jr.