There are few forces on Capitol Hill that can compare with EnergySolutions' influence.

The company has generously spread around more than $500,000 in state political contributions since 2006, contributing money to more than 80 percent of sitting lawmakers.

Moreover, the company employs at least 10 of the most influential lobbyists in the state, including a former House speaker and a Senate president, their spouses and a handful of other power brokers.

EnergySolutions spokeswoman Jill Sigal said the company is exercising its Constitutional right to make its voice heard in and engage in the political process.

"We are a nuclear services company, so EnergySolutions supports candidates who are pro-nuclear and we think it's very important for everyone, whether it's a corporation or individual, to participate in the political process," she said.

In recent days, company officials have been working quietly with legislative leaders on a proposal that would mean $1 billion for the state over the next decade. But the deal hinges on the company getting help from the Legislature in winning permission to dispose of foreign-generated radioactive waste at the company's Tooele County facility.

The effort will test the resolve of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who has adamantly opposed the importation of the waste form Italy and other countries but is also confronted with trying, along with legislators, to plug a budget deficit created by a spiraling economy.

Details of EnergySolutions proposal to the Legislature are expected to be announced in the coming week. But the company has already been active in building goodwill with legislators.

Since 2006, the company has made $538,580 in political contributions to candidates and political parties, according to an analysis of its campaign finance reports. The Utah Republican Party is the leading recipient, receiving $154,520 from the company, follwed by the Utah Democratic Party, which has received $44,900.

The Democrats' Blue Dog Political Action Committee received $22,000, the Salt Lake County Republican Party received $20,800 and the House Conservative Caucus was given $20,000 by the company.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is the leading individual beneficiary of EnergySolutions' campaign assistance, receiving $30,000, followed by Sen. John Valentine who garnered $19,950 and former House Speaker Greg Curtis, who was given $10,450 before he lost his election last year. Curtis' political action committee was given another $10,000.

Working the hallways, the company has its own government-relations staff as well as the 10 registered lobbyists. But Sigal said EnergySolutions' biggest advocate is its CEO, Steve Creamer, who has already met with lawmakers to discuss the company's idea regarding foreign waste.

"His passion for the company and helping our nation address its energy challenges, [mean] he's the best ambassador the company has," Sigal said.

Others working for EnergySolutions include former Senate President Miles "Cap" Ferry and former House Speaker H. Craig Moody and their spouses. Ferry's son is House Rules Committee Chairman Ben Ferry and his nephew, David Stewart, is also lobbying for the company.

In addition, EnergySolutions has Scott Sabey, who has lobbied for the Utah Bar Association and others, and well-connected lobbyists Spencer Stokes and Charles Evans working on its behalf.