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House passes bill limiting local municipal services for proposed high‑level nuclear waste sites
Summary
The Utah House approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 81 on Feb. 28, 2001, prohibiting counties and municipalities from contracting to provide municipal‑type services to planned high‑level nuclear waste storage sites and creating a state licensing pathway; the measure passed the House 60–12 after heated debate over tribal sovereignty, emergency services and economic development.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Feb. 28 approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 81, a measure that bars counties and municipalities from entering contracts or otherwise providing municipal‑type services to a proposed high‑level nuclear waste storage site and establishes a state licensing framework aimed at limiting externalized costs.
Sponsor Representative Verkhart told colleagues the bill takes ‘‘three actions’’: it states Utah will not accept this material, challenges the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing authority if necessary, and creates a licensing process to prevent a private operator from shifting long‑term costs onto Utah taxpayers. Verkhart said the measure targets roughly ‘‘890 acres, that’s a little more than a mile square’’ and that…
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