Dennis Michael Busch - Official Website
Original Post at SUUNews.com
By Dennis Busch, collective opinion of the
University Journal Editorial Board.
Editorial: Utah is not the world's waste dump
Radioactive waste is always a hot topic of debate, particularly the importation of foreign waste to Utah.
Despite the rejection of Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management and an ongoing legal battle to block EnergySolutions Inc. from importing foreign nuclear waste from Italy, little resolve has come on the issue.
In an effort to get the state to drop its protests, the company offered 50 percent of its net revenue the state earlier this year.
Former Gov. Jon Huntsman overtly rejected the company's offer, but EnergySolutions asserts that their offer remains on the table.
The University Journal Editorial Board encourages Gov. Gary Herbert to stick to his assertions that he will follow Gov. Huntsman's rejection of the proposal.
Utah must not become the dumping ground of the United States, let alone the world.
U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson, the lone Democrat in Utah's congressional delegation has also urged the governor to reject the offer in a letter sent earlier this month.
A statement from Herbert's office said Utah is not in negotiations with EnergySolutions and that he is committed to the current lawsuit the state is engaged in. It went on to say, "(Herbert) has no interest in the storage of any foreign waste in the state."
In addition to the foreign waste, domestic depleted uranium will begin to flow into our state in October and will be stored at the EnergySolutions site 70 miles west of Salt Lake City.
Utah's Radiation Control Board is considering placing a moratorium on the disposal of depleted uranium, which becomes more radioactive overtime.
The Journal encourages the URCB to institute this moratorium until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has implemented safe procedures for its disposal.
On both issues, the long-term safety and health of our residents must supersede any financial gains.
The Deseret News reported that Utah Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, has said it would be wise to revisit the offer, given the state's estimated $700 million budget shortfall.
We understand that the state of Utah is feeling the crunch of the downturned economy, and the allure of large sums of money might seem like a wise solution to our fiscal woes.
However, The Journal strongly urges the leaders of our state to consider the health and safety issues before ever accepting any agreements to allow any more radioactive waste to enter our state.
If the waste is so safe and healthy, let Italy keep it.
Despite the rejection of Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management and an ongoing legal battle to block EnergySolutions Inc. from importing foreign nuclear waste from Italy, little resolve has come on the issue.
In an effort to get the state to drop its protests, the company offered 50 percent of its net revenue the state earlier this year.
Former Gov. Jon Huntsman overtly rejected the company's offer, but EnergySolutions asserts that their offer remains on the table.
The University Journal Editorial Board encourages Gov. Gary Herbert to stick to his assertions that he will follow Gov. Huntsman's rejection of the proposal.
Utah must not become the dumping ground of the United States, let alone the world.
U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson, the lone Democrat in Utah's congressional delegation has also urged the governor to reject the offer in a letter sent earlier this month.
A statement from Herbert's office said Utah is not in negotiations with EnergySolutions and that he is committed to the current lawsuit the state is engaged in. It went on to say, "(Herbert) has no interest in the storage of any foreign waste in the state."
In addition to the foreign waste, domestic depleted uranium will begin to flow into our state in October and will be stored at the EnergySolutions site 70 miles west of Salt Lake City.
Utah's Radiation Control Board is considering placing a moratorium on the disposal of depleted uranium, which becomes more radioactive overtime.
The Journal encourages the URCB to institute this moratorium until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has implemented safe procedures for its disposal.
On both issues, the long-term safety and health of our residents must supersede any financial gains.
The Deseret News reported that Utah Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, has said it would be wise to revisit the offer, given the state's estimated $700 million budget shortfall.
We understand that the state of Utah is feeling the crunch of the downturned economy, and the allure of large sums of money might seem like a wise solution to our fiscal woes.
However, The Journal strongly urges the leaders of our state to consider the health and safety issues before ever accepting any agreements to allow any more radioactive waste to enter our state.
If the waste is so safe and healthy, let Italy keep it.
© 2009 Dennis Busch, University Journal
