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Resident opposes Northwest Colorado nuclear-waste siting; commissioners invite AGNC to brief the board; JOLT scholarships for students approved
Summary
A Carbondale resident urged Garfield County commissioners to oppose regional work on locating a nuclear waste storage site, prompting commissioners to invite Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) to brief the board. Separately, the board approved funding to sponsor up to two high‑school students to attend a JOLT energy summit.
During public comment at the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Feb. 3, Carbondale resident George Ware warned commissioners about a regional effort he described as seeking a nuclear-waste repository in northwest Colorado.
"I came here today to talk to you about your support for locating a nuclear waste depository in Northwest Colorado," Ware said, expressing concern about a Department of Energy consent-based siting initiative and grants reportedly awarded to the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC). He urged commissioners to consider returning federal planning grants if the purpose is to pursue repository siting.
Commissioner Mike Sampson responded that AGNC and a regionwide effort called JOLT (Joint Organizations Leading Transition) had been investigating several energy-transition strategies for northwest Colorado. Sampson said he would invite Matt Solomon, AGNC’s point person, to appear at an upcoming meeting to brief the commission and answer questions.
Ray Beck, former mayor of Craig and a JOLT committee member, briefed the commission later in the agenda about JOLT’s mission and an upcoming energy summit. Beck described JOLT as focused on education and workforce transition in energy-impacted communities, and proposed sponsoring a local high-school student to attend the organization’s energy summit in June, with the committee covering registration.
Commissioners discussed logistics and asked about chaperones and how to choose a student. Commissioner Sampson proposed that Garfield County fund a second student so the attending youth would not be alone; the board voted to accept JOLT’s invitation and to add $100 for a second scholarship (the registration fee is $100 per student). County staff were directed to work with administration to set selection criteria and submit names by tax day (April 15).
Officials noted the state and federal delegations and nearer county boards (Moffat and Rio Blanco) could have more direct influence on policy around siting or consent-based processes.
