Nuclear Waste Plan Rejected in Utah
Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has signed legislation banning high-level nuclear waste from the state, a reaction to a plan by the Goshute tribe to raise money by allowing utilities with nuclear power plants to store spent fuel on tribal lands.
Although acknowledging the “extreme economic burdens” faced by the tribe, “Utah says no to high-level nuclear waste,” Leavitt said.
A companion bill directs state agencies to study tribal economic development needs.
“We need to make sure that the Goshute have another way of making a living,” said state Sen. Terry Spencer, sponsor of the bills. “We’re not just telling them no.”
Some members of the Goshute tribe opposed the idea of nuclear waste storage on their land.
“We are saying no to nuclear waste not only for today, but for our future generations,” said Margene Bullcreek, a tribal member who attended the bill signing.
Leavitt said results of the economic development study will be presented later in the year.
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