Utah gets a radioactive reprieve

monday » The Utah Radiation Control Board has given opponents of depleted uranium a radioactive reprieve. In a 7-1 vote, the board wisely sent shipments of DU earmarked for Utah onto a sidetrack at the U.S. Energy Department's Savannah River Site in South Carolina, where federal stimulus funds are being used to clean up the Palmetto State at the expense of the Beehive State. The trainloads of DU, 11,000 metric tons left over from the uranium-enrichment process, were to begin arriving at EnergySolutions' low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Tooele County this year. But now, if the board reaffirms its decision with a like vote next month, the shipments will be delayed while EnergySolutions prepares a report to reassure the board that it can keep future generations safe from this unique waste. In the editorial "Depleted uranium," The Tribune Editorial Board hopes the DOE and the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission will show some maturity so the state can earn a longer reprieve until DU disposal issues can be suitably studied and adequately resolved by the feds.

 

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3 school district bonds good for taxpayers

tuesday » Davis, Duchesne and Granite school districts are prudent in asking taxpayers to approve more than a half-billion dollars in bonds to finance school construction, remodeling and updating. In the editorial "School bonds," the board lends its

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endorsement to all three bond elections that will appear on ballots Nov. 3. Going into debt while the effects of the Great Recession linger may not seem wise at first glance. But the timing would work to the districts' benefit. Historically low interest rates and relatively low construction costs can combine to provide taxpayers a real bargain.

 

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No-limits donations law is nuts

wednesday » The Utah governor's office may not exactly be for sale, but it's starting to look like campaign donors can at least buy a time share. Gov. Gary Herbert's unwillingness to set a limit on donations to his campaign, and his willingness to accept $50,000, or more, from individual contributors to his fundraising gala next week, is the best argument yet for setting legal limits on campaign contributions in Utah. This is one of a handful of states where there literally are no limits. A wealthy person, corporation or labor union could give $1 million to a candidate for the Legislature or statewide office and it would be perfectly legal. In the editorial "Golden rule," the editorial board declares that law "nuts." It is an invitation for people or organizations with big money to buy the political process.