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Romney-Santorum? Green groups tackle Utah nuke energy. SCOTUS predictions.

Happy Wednesday. Mitt Romney appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night but was sure to make his jokes PG-rated. When asked a series of word association questions, Romney replied about his rival Rick Santorum: "Press secretary," a jab at the former Pennsylvania senator's rant to a New York Times reporter this weekend. Romney also noted regarding his competition that he'd rather be president and let Santorum by the vice president. [WaPost]

Topping the news: Environmental groups are taking their case against the proposed Utah nuclear plant to court, arguing that the state's engineer only did a cursory review before approving the new facility. [Trib]

-> The three Utahns who attended Tuesday's hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court came away with high spirits, believing the justices will overturn the new law requiring Americans to purchase health insurance. [Trib]

-> Sales tax in SL County is bouncing back, taking in 7.4 percent more in 2011 than it did the previous year. [Trib]

Happy Birthday: To Muncie native Craig LaCasse.

Tweet of the day: From @SenMikeLee: "I have been going to #SCOTUS hearings since I was ten. Today's hearing was the best one I have ever seen."

In other news: Gov. Gary Herbert signs into law an education reform bill that will establish statewide teaching standards and tie salaries to job performance. [DNews]

-> Utah leaders are figuring out ways to meet the demands of a 67 percent population growth by 2040, analyzing potential obstacles in transportation, housing and quality of life. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jim Matheson re-introduces legislation to preserve some 26,000 acres of wilderness in the Wasatch Front canyons. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley shares his take on Obamacare's easy ride. [Trib]

-> As expected, another reminder that Sen. Orrin Hatch was for an individual mandate once-upon-a-time. [UtahPolicy]

-> Even with a background in the background of the country's highest court, Sen. Mike Lee says the second day of oral arguments was the best he's ever seen. [TheHill]

-> Paul Rolly says Lee backers are going back on themselves and embracing a formerly shunned lobbyist. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jim Matheson introduces a bill that would grant federal protection to about 26,000 additional acres of Wasatch Front canyons, as he tries to lock down Utah's crucial and delicate water shed. [Trib]

-> A group of junior highers from a leadership class get a visit from Utah AG Mark Shurtleff, where he talked about his book "Am I Not A Man?" and issues regarding teen substance abuse. [ParkRecord]

-> All Orem residents will come under the same recycling plan by July 1 unless they opt out ahead of time. [Trib]

-> Environmentalists worry that Herbert's team of sage grouse protectors have ulterior motives in mind — with just one member working for a conservation group. [Trib]

2012 Watch: Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says Mitt Romney needs to get his mindset out of the Cold War era, after the presidential candidate called Russia the United States' "number one geopolitical foe." [ABCNews]

-> After President Barack Obama's senior advisor called Romney the godfather of Obamacare, the former Massachusetts governor says if that is the case, it gives him more right to kill the law. [HuffPost]

-> Newt Gingrich lays off one third of his full-time staff to throw some luggage off his campaign's ship, allowing it to stay afloat. [Politico] [NBC] [NYTimes]

-> Despite his campaign's struggles, Gingrich continues to insist he has just one condition for dropping out of the race — Romney clinching the nomination. [CNN]

-> A new poll says the majority of Americans would like to see Ron Paul and Gingrich drop out of the presidential race. [HuffPost]

Where are they?

Rep. Rob Bishop stops at two committee hearings, meets with former Gov. Olene Walker regarding National Parks Conservation Association, speaks at the Heritage Foundation and meets with BLM Deputy Director Mike Pool.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends a Republican Steering Committee, hits the Judiciary Committee hearing, meets with former U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman, heads to a meeting with former Utah Governor Olene Walker and the National Parks Conservation Association and later appears on CNN.

Gov. Gary Herbert reviews the final bills of the legislative session.

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell goes to campaign events throughout the day then attends the Piute and Wayne county conventions.

AG Mark Shurtleff hits the final day of Supreme Court hearings on the health care lawsuit.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends budget meetings then meets one-on-one with constituents.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon meets with Environmental Coordinator Kimberly Barnett, goes to the East Valley Chamber luncheon and attends the SL Co. elected officials monthly meeting.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with delegates in Riverton.

President Barack Obama has no public events.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

— Thomas Burr and Laura SchmitzTwitter.com/thomaswburr