Senate advances measures on nuclear waste: standards for high‑level storage and new tax on low‑level waste

The Senate debated and advanced multiple measures addressing nuclear and radioactive waste on Feb. 24, moving a high‑level waste regulation bill (SB196) and a revised low‑level waste tax (first substitute SB144) to third reading.

Senator Craig Peterson said SB196 would create a regulatory environment and conditions (including application fees, bonding and safety protocols) if high‑level waste were to be accepted in Utah. Opponents and supporters traded technical and fiscal concerns: Senator Holmgren warned of litigation and questioned safety and site selection; supporters said a strict regulatory framework and bonding requirements would protect residents. Sponsorship language cited constitutional and NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) considerations.

On radioactive waste taxation, Senator Blackham presented a first substitute that eliminates prior contents and instead imposes a $6 per‑ton tax on low‑level radioactive waste entering Utah (in addition to an existing $2.50), with an estimated revenue increase of approximately $1.4 million. Senator Taylor proposed raising the tax to $15 per ton; the Senate rejected the larger increase and retained the $6 figure to "test" the effect for a year. Senators also discussed the Atlas tailings remediation near Moab and whether the tax would affect those cleanup plans.

Both measures passed floor votes and were sent to the third‑reading calendar; sponsors said further fiscal and administrative details will be handled in subsequent steps.