Nuclear power's skeptics and supporters are advancing measures in the Utah Legislature.
Rep. Jay Seegmiller, D-Sandy, introduced his "nuclear responsibility" bill. HB440 is aimed at ensuring reactors built in Utah have disposal available for high-level nuclear waste and that the Public Service Commission sees to it that Utahns don't end up footing the liabilities for energy that benefits only out-of-staters.
"I don't know if generating power for another state is a perfect way for us to use our water," Seegmiller said.
A similar bill, SB42 by Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, has been sidelined in the Senate Rules Committee.
Meanwhile, Sen. David Hinkins, R-Orangeville, has offered a joint resolution, SJR16, urging support of nuclear power. He says nuclear power would mean jobs for southeastern Utah, especially as Congress looks at climate-change bills that threaten the coal industry.
Hinkins' measure emerges days after proponents of a uranium mill and Utah's first nuclear-power plant signed up to occupy a new industrial park near Green River.
