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Leavitt vows to block high‑level nuclear waste storage near Goshute lands, seeks land-exchange protections
Summary
In his State of the State, Gov. Michael O. Leavitt announced three initiatives to prevent high‑level nuclear waste storage near the Goshute Reservation: refuse rail crossing permissions requiring state approval, pursue federal land-exchange legislation to create a buffer, and oppose utilities attempting to move waste into Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY — Governor Michael O. Leavitt said the state will "vehemently" oppose any plan to store high-level nuclear waste on lands near the Goshute Reservation and outlined multiple steps the state will pursue to block such proposals.
Leavitt told the joint convention that Utah entered the fight at a disadvantage but would not abandon it. He said the state will refuse permission for rail crossings where state approval is required and will support legislation — including pursuing federal land-exchange authority — that would form a protective buffer of state lands around the reservation to block proposed transport or storage sites.
"It is not fair to our people. It is not fair to our future, and we don't want it. I repeat, we don't want it," Leavitt said, adding that utilities seeking permission to cross state lands to move spent fuel would be denied.
He framed the issue as a struggle between the state and utilities seeking to move costly, high-level waste, stressing the long-lived hazards of such material and pledging a sustained campaign by state leaders.
Leavitt described a three-part approach: (1) deny rail-crossing permissions requiring state approval; (2) support federal legislation to exchange state lands to form a protective buffer around the Goshute Reservation; and (3) refuse permission to cross state lands regardless of monetary offers from utilities.
The governor said the state would press for both administrative and legislative measures; he did not specify bill numbers or the timeline for federal action.
What’s next: Leavitt said he will support related legislation in the session and pursue federal options to create a land buffer. The speech does not record specific bills, fiscal impacts, or legal steps to be filed during the session.
