Environment
Utah appeals ruling on Goshute nuclear waste dump


The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board heard arguments on Wednesday against its decision to allow a nuclear waste dump on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation in Utah.

The state of Utah, backed by some members of the tribe, filed the appeal. The state says the risk of a plane crash from a nearby Air Force base is too high and can't be ignored.

In a 2-1 decision in February, the board said the likelihood of a crash "is somewhat less than one in a million per year." The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has final say, however.

Leon Bear, the chairman of the tribe who is under indictment for theft and tax fraud charges, signed a multi-million dollar deal to host the repository. Up to 44,000 tons of highly radioactive waste would be stored on a portion of the reservation.

Get the Story:
State appeals N-dump ruling (The Salt Lake Tribune 4/7)
Goshute fight is back at NRC (The Deseret Morning News 4/7)

Public Decision:
In the matter of Private Fuel Storage (February 24, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Skull Valley Goshute Tribe - http://www.skullvalleygoshutes.org
Private Fuel Storage - http://www.privatefuelstorage.com

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