Source: kutv.com

Just say no! That's what many Utahns want their elected leaders to tell Energy Solutions. More than 150 citizens rallied on Capitol Hill Wednesday evening and said the state is not for "not for sale!"

They found out in the hours leading up to that rally that law makers agree. They will not open the door to Italian nuclear waste, or waste from any other country.

"It seems like Energy Solutions does not understand that no means no," said Vanessa Pierce, executive director for the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, or HEAL. She riled the crowd with a passionate speech tearing into the company.

Energy Solutions hopes to accept low level radioactive waste from Italy. It even floated the idea to state law makers that if they drop out of the Northwest Compact, the agreement allowing for the exchange of nuclear waste between states, Utah could share in the profits. The compact prevents the import of foreign waste.

"We thought this might be a way to help the state out in this budget and budgets to come for the next ten years," said company spokesman, Mark Walker. He said the state might collect well over one billion dollars during that time. He added the waste is the same level as what already comes into the state and the company is committed to putting the waste on less than five acres of its facility.

"It's one square mile out there and its managed properly, it's safe. Our safety record speaks for itself," said Walker.

"It's just the blatant bribe Energy Solutions was offering up to the legislature to fix the budget if you take foreign waste," said HEAL's Pierce. She and everyone else behind HEAL received word Wednesday, law makers weren't going to take any action.

Even if they had, governor Huntsman wasn't on board.

"I've made it clear, I would veto such a proposal and I don't know that it is going to cross my desk," said Governor Jon Huntsman.

This fight is not over. A federal judge hears arguments in Thursday morning because Energy Solutions filed a lawsuit saying the Northwest Compact doesn't have authority to regulate its facility.
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