Company: Utah In Talks For Nuclear Waste Deal

BROCK VERGAKIS

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — EnergySolutions Inc. said Friday it is in settlement talks with Utah aimed at getting the state to drop its objections to importing foreign nuclear waste for disposal in the state.

The company wants to import as much as 20,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste from Italy through the ports of Charleston, S.C., or New Orleans. After processing in Tennessee, about 1,600 tons would be disposed of in the desert about 70 miles west of Salt Lake City.

If approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it would be the largest amount of radioactive waste ever imported into the country.

"We believe that it is in the best interest of the state, the citizens of Utah and EnergySolutions to settle this matter and we hope the state considers this proposal," EnergySolutions spokesman Mark Walker wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

"Since this issue is still before the court and in settlement discussions it would be inappropriate to comment further," he wrote.

The talks began after a federal judge ruled against an effort by western states to block the import of the nuclear waste. In addition, Utah is facing a $700 million budget shortfall and newly installed Gov. Gary Herbert is trying not to raise any taxes.