Energy Solutions 'Disappointed' in Governor's Interference

Apr 24, 2008 by Lara Jones

NWIC's Legal Authority Open to Interpretation, Says Spokesman

(KCPW News) Energy Solutions says it's disappointed that Governor Jon Huntsman is going back on a signed agreement and using his influence with the NorthWest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management to thwart the company's plan to import 20,000 tons of nuclear waste from Italy for processing and storage in Tennessee and Utah.

"Energy Solutions is deeply disappointed that Governor Huntsman's taken this action," says company spokesman John Ward. "We'd like to note that the states of Utah and Tennessee have already submitted opinions that there's no technical basis to oppose this permit."

Governor Huntsman signed a deal two years ago agreeing not to use the power of the NorthWest Interstate Compact against the nuclear waste treatment company as long as it didn't expand its capacity in Utah. But yesterday he ordered Utah's Compact representative to do just that at a meeting in May. Ward would not comment on whether Energy Solutions would take the issue to court, or if he thought the NorthWest Interstate Compact gets the final word in the matter:

"I think it's a safe thing to say that the legal authority of the compact is something that may be interpreted more than one way."

Energy Solutions proposal is on the May 8th agenda of the NorthWest Interstate Compact. A two-thirds majority of voting members and Utah's consent would be required for the company to import the radioactive waste. Approximately 1,600 processed tons would be stored at the Energy Solutions facility in Clive, 70 miles west of Salt Lake City.

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