Senate postpones vote after group questions appointment of EnergySolutions executive

"I think there are enough checks and balances, enough representatives from other areas of the community, including advocacy groups, that will allow the committee to do a good job," he said. He did add that pulling both names late in the morning before the full Senate vote will give lawmakers on the confirmation committee a chance to be sure make sure nominees can remain objective.

Rusty Lundberg, director of the state Division of Radiation Control, said that while EnergySolutions does have high-profile public issues come before the board, the majority of its work involves other matters not impacting the company, which operates a radioactive waste disposal site in Clive, Tooele County.

Rules related to regulatory boards and whether members have to declare a conflict of interest or recuse themselves from a vote are under consideration and up for a decision later this month.

As it stands, Utah Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Amanda Smith is reviewing those pending rules and will make a decision.

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