The Democrat's paper - which lists four areas of challenge to Utah's environment - focuses particularly on the potential for storage of high- and low-level nuclear waste in the state.
Utah, said Matheson, is "not a dumping ground" for nuclear waste, and the state should do all it can to oppose current proposals for permanent burial at Yucca Mountain, Nev., and temporary storage on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation in Tooele County.
"I strongly oppose the storage of high-level nuclear waste in Utah," said Matheson, 51, in a statement. "The safety provisions in the current proposals [for storage] are inadequate. As governor, I will use all the tools available to fight against these proposals."
Matheson also said he would fight to remove low-level radioactive waste from the banks of the Colorado River near Moab.
"It's a reality of modern life that radioactive and hazardous waste is generated from materials meant to improve our lives. But we must continue to improve the ways we reduce and eliminate this waste so as not to threaten the health of our citizens and our natural environment."
Jason Chaffetz, spokesman for Republican Jon Huntsman Jr., agreed with Matheson's proposals for protecting Utah's environment. Huntsman is running a head-to-head race with Matheson for the state's executive office.
"We've commented on the environment several times," Chaffetz said. "We've also talked about the need for opposing nuclear waste . . . We too have a multipart plan that deals with the quality of life and safety issues for Utah."
In addition to opposing storage of high-level nuclear waste, Chaffetz said Huntsman would also improve standards set for air and water quality - specifically through increased communication between state and public organizations, and monitoring and protection initiatives.
Matheson's environment plan, which also includes specifics for improved air and water quality, is available online at: www.mathesonforgovernor.com. To read Huntsman's stand on the environment, visit: www.votehuntsman.com.
