Gov. Gary Herbert has agreed to meet with an environmental activist group over concerns that a controversial nuclear waste deal proposed by EnergySolutions is still on the table.

HEAL Utah sent a letter to Herbert this month after media outlets began reporting that "talks" had been revived over a proposal by the nuclear waste company to split its revenue with the state if it is allowed to import foreign waste.

With Utah facing an estimated revenue shortfall of $700 million, Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, has said it would be prudent to revisit the issue.

A legal battle over the facility's ability to accept the waste absent the state's consent is pending before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Killpack said he is concerned that after losing the first round in federal court, the state may be in a weak legal position. "There's a chance we could end up taking the waste and not getting the benefit," he said.

But the majority leader said he won't bring up the possible revenue at stake with Senate Republicans unless the governor's office is willing to take a look at the proposal, which had been rejected by his predecessor, former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Herbert spokeswoman Angie Welling would not speculate on what might change Herbert's mind about accepting foreign waste. "He's always willing to listen to all sides of the issues," she said. "The fact that he is not in negotiations nor has he directed anyone to enter into settlement talks and supports the appeal that is now pending before the 10th Circuit should speak for itself."

Welling said Herbert "recognizes that this is an issue of great importance to the state and is interested in speaking with representatives from HEAL Utah, as well as others who have a vested interest in matter." She said he had "extended an invitation" to HEAL Utah to address concerns the group outlined in a two-page letter.

"As appealing as this revenue stream may sound in a time of economic slowdown and diminishing revenue, such a settlement would have drastic consequences for our state's nuclear waste policy, now and far into the future," wrote HEAL's executive director Vannesa Pierce.

"It would do much to allay public concern … if you publicly rejected EnergySolutions' settlement offer," the letter said.

HEAL has long been opposed to any efforts by EnergySolutions to expand its operation in Clive, Tooele County, including its efforts to store depleted uranium.

Earlier this year, the group asked the state's radiation control board to enact a moratorium given the National Regulatory Commission's pending revision of its rules governing what site-specific conditions should be required over its storage.