Environmental groups in Utah, including the Healthy Environmental Alliance for Utah and the Sierra Club, are lobbying against bills that aim to expand nuclear power in the state. Despite unanimous support from the House for House Bill 249, which creates a consortium to explore small-scale nuclear power plants, concerns about uranium extraction and waste management remain. Members of the groups expressed personal connections to the issue, citing family members who developed cancers as a result of nuclear exposure.
Senator Ann Millner, the Senate sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need for a thorough study to explore the potential benefits of nuclear power in Utah. However, opponents like HEAL Utah’s Carmen ValDez are worried about the environmental impact and health risks associated with storing radioactive waste in the state.
Supporters of nuclear power, including EnergySolutions, argue that it can provide a clean energy source and support the state’s growing energy demands. Senator Mike McKell and Representative Bridger Bolinder have introduced bills addressing nuclear waste capacity and the definition of radioactive waste, respectively.
While Utah’s political leaders advocate for an “all of the above” approach to energy, balancing fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear power, environmental activists continue to push for a comprehensive evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of expanding nuclear power in the state. As the debate continues, the future of nuclear energy in Utah remains uncertain.
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