Hearing scheduled over N-reactor in Green River

GREEN RIVER — Protests sparked by a plan to divert river water for a new nuclear reactor in Emery County will be reviewed at a hearing next Tuesday.

The plan calls for the diversion of 53,600 acre-feet of water for use at the nuclear facility planned by Blue Castle Holdings.

State and national organizations have voiced concerns over the possible environmental and recreational impact on the San Juan and Green rivers and surrounding areas.

In addition, critics have charged that the plan does not meet the criteria for legal water use in Utah.

"This is clearly a speculative venture, which is not permitted when water is appropriated for use in Utah," Uranium Watch's Sarah Fields said in a press release.

On its Web site, Blue Castle Holdings counters that the proposed withdrawal represents a "small fraction" of the Green River's flow and would have "little impact" on the environment.

The Utah Division of Water Rights will review the protests Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River.