Skull Valley Plan is "Stone Cold Dead"

None by KCPW

PFS Request Denied, Hatch Confirms

(KCPW News) Two top officials from the Department of Interior told U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch Thursday they have denied a request from Private Fuel Storage to transport spent nuclear fuel across public land to Skull Valley.

"As far as I can see it, Skull Valley is now stone cold dead," says Hatch.

The viability of the Skull Valley storage plan rested on the approval of either a rail spur or transfer facility on BLM land. Hatch says the Department of Interior determined the location was too close to population centers and weapons testing and military flight paths. Hatch attributes the decision to overwhelming disapproval voiced during the public comment period.

"I just want to thank the 5,000 Utahns who wrote letters and made comments because I think it had a great deal to do with winning this battle," says Hatch.

Unless Private Fuel Storage can find another means of transporting the spent nuclear fuel to Salt Lake's west desert, federal officials say the plan is unlikely to move forward.

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