As expected, Utah Gov. Huntsman vetoed SB 70, the “Envirocare” bill that would permit lawmakers to override a veto on passed bills aimed at blocking hazardous waste disposal facilities, including those that handle radioactive materials. This was the governor’s first veto of the year.
Gov. Huntsman stated that the bill would incrementally weaken the governor’s ability to protect Utah’s image and environment, as well as the health and safety of its 2.5 million residents. He added that he had pledged to resist efforts to turn the state into “a radioactive dumping ground.”
“Consistent with that pledge,” he concluded, “I cannot consent to a provision that, in my opinion, would potentially lead to the proliferation of radioactive waste-disposal facilities within our state.”
Today will be the day that lawmakers will decide whether or not they have the 2/3 votes necessary to carry out the override. If the veto is overridden, lawmakers will then have the power to allow sites to be established or expand regardless of the governor’s position on the issue.
Last night a crowd of about 50 citizens braved the elements for a glow-stick rally held on the capitol plaza. (The weather was horrible. I had planned to attend but didn’t due to the weather. I will be attending tonight’s rally.) The rally was held to voice opposition to SB 70 and support the governor’s veto.
They called SB70 a special interest legislation aimed at helping EnergySolutions (formerly Envirocare of Utah) get a license to double in size over Huntsman’s objections. And they noted that six commercial garbage sites have been approved without any quarrel about the approval process. The question only came
up when politically powerful Envirocare had an expansion request in the works and Huntsman said he would reject it.
Mary Ellen Navas, of Sandy, told the group 84 percent of Utahns oppose more and more radioactive waste from coming to the state but lawmakers were “disconnected” from their constituents on the issue.
She said any decisions to add waste ought to require “the utmost scrutiny,” as current law allows.
“We hold our children’s future dear, and we would never sacrifice their future to special interests,” she said. “We want extreme caution when it comes to any new waste coming to Utah.”
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 