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(KSL News) A controversial nuclear waste bill easily passed through the legislature and is now in the hands of the Governor. The bill would make it easier for the company EnergySolutions to expand.
It allows the company to make changes in waste disposal at its Tooele County facility without needing approval by the Governor or legislature. Proponents say the bill simply removes language inadvertently put in an earlier bill. Opponents say it paves the way for more low-level nuclear waste to come to Utah.
Darlene Philipps, Bountiful Resident: "I'm begging Governor Huntsman to veto it as a statement to the rest of the country that we are not their dumping ground."
Greg Hopkins, Senior Vice-President, EnergySolutions: "There's been a lot of misinformation about this bill. This bill does nothing to change the regulatory process that's been in place for 18 years. It doesn't take the public out of the loop,It doesn't take the regulators out of the loop."
A new KSL-TV/Deseret News poll finds 18% favor the bill, 78% oppose it, with the vast majority, 66%, opposing it strongly.
The Governor has not yet decided whether to sign it. The bill passed with a big enough margin that lawmakers could override a veto.
