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Senate substitutes SB24 to ban higher‑radiation waste, directs compact representatives to oppose shipments
Summary
Senate adopted a first substitute to SB24 that expands a proposed ban on waste hotter than low‑level A (including B and C categories and other high‑radionuclide materials), removes a licensing pathway for hotter waste and instructs Utah's Northwest Compact representatives not to support measures bringing such waste to the state.
Senators on the floor approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 24 that broadens restrictions on radioactive waste and tightens state oversight. The sponsor told the chamber the substitute "bans all waste that is hotter than the low level A waste," explicitly covering B and C waste and other materials with elevated radionuclide concentrations.
Under the substitute, Utah would eliminate a separate licensing process for hotter waste and increase regulatory oversight and tax provisions tied to waste handling. The sponsor also said the bill instructs Utah's representatives on the Northwest Interstate Compact to "not endorse, support, introduce, or approve any measure" intended to bring such waste into Utah.
Senators moved to uncircle the bill, substitute it in full and then place the substituted bill in circle to give members time to review the new text. The motions to uncircle and to substitute were approved by voice votes on the floor. The senator offering the substitute cited a recent press conference in which the new owners of EnviroCare delivered a letter to the governor asking that their licensing application for B and C waste be withdrawn; the sponsor described the substitute as a legislative response.
The substitute also contains provisions the sponsor characterized as closing loopholes and strengthening enforcement, along with a task force and tax‑related measures discussed during earlier consideration. The bill was circled so senators could examine the substitute prior to further action on the calendar.
Next steps: the Senate circled the substituted SB24 to allow time for member review; no final third‑reading vote on the substitute was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
