March 28 --
Radioactive waste disposal firm EnergySolutions LLC is withdrawing its request to increase radioactive waste capacity at its Utah site.
The Salt Lake City-based company had applied to the Utah Board of Radiation Control to amend its Combined Class A Cell license to store more low-level radioactive waste at its site in Clive, Utah. But that decision met with a court challenge from the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, a watchdog group.
The Utah Supreme Court was scheduled to hear arguments about the company´s expansion plans on March 27. However, Utah Gov. John Huntsman helped negotiate an agreement the day before the scheduled court hearing.
The deal will reduce the total amount of radioactive waste shipped into the state by 4.3 million cubic yards, ensuring Utah will not continue to be a dumping ground for other states, Huntsman said.
The agreement also allows EnergySolutions to preserve its license rights and meet the long-term needs of its customers, CEO Steve Creamer said.
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