Huntsman, EnergySolutions Make a Deal

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) EnergySolutions has promised not to push for permission to pile radioactive waste above its existing permit in Utah. In exchange, Governor Jon Huntsman says he'll drop his plans to ask the regional nuclear regulatory body for a cap on waste coming to Utah. The letter could be an extra level of protection for the state, but Huntsman says it's no longer necessary:

"You send a letter, a legal war ensues that's costly and takes time," says Huntsman. "We accomplished everything we intended to with the letter and we'll keep it in our pocket in case we need it in the future."

Huntsman says EnergySolutions CEO Steve Creamer (Kramer) asked him not to send the letter in exchange for the company's commitment to withdraw its pending application for a "supercell" at its Tooele County site. For now, the Governor says he is comfortable with Creamer's commitment, which will effectively cap the amount of waste slated for disposal in Utah. However, Huntsman admits he cannot ensure that cap indefinitely:

"You can never bind future legislators or governors, but I think what we're doing is changing the culture of what is acceptable in this state," says Huntsman.

Huntsman believes Utah's culture is "moving beyond nuclear waste" as evidenced by a 2005 ban on higher-level waste and the recent defeat of other nuclear storage proposals in the state.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW