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Senate advances Energy Solutions landfill resolution amid oversight questions
Summary
The Senate advanced SJR7, approving Energy Solutions’ request for a Class 6 landfill at its Clive facility. Senators asked how waste streams will be sorted, whether higher-level radioactive material will be segregated, and whether legislative approval is occurring before scientific and public processes are complete.
The Utah Senate on Monday moved SJR7 forward, a joint resolution approving Energy Solutions’ request to construct and operate a Class 6 landfill for nonhazardous solid waste at the company’s Clive facility in Tooele County.
Sponsor Sen. Sandell told colleagues the request addresses a stream of construction and decommissioning debris — concrete and rubble — that can be safely handled as Class 6 waste rather than occupying space in licensed low-level radioactive-waste cells. “DEQ and Energy Solutions already assess and sort the waste stream as it comes in,” Sandell said, and only material that qualifies for a Class 6 landfill would be placed in the proposed site.
Sen. Davis and others pressed for details about on-site sorting, whether the state inspects and separates the waste, and whether material originates in Utah or from out of state. Sandell said most of the waste likely comes from out of state and described sorting and testing as taking place at the Clive facility. He emphasized that Class A or higher-level radioactive material would not be placed in the Class 6 landfill.
Sen. Iwamoto asked whether the Legislature’s approval is occurring before scientific review and public input are complete; the sponsor said DEQ approval and executive (governor) signoff, in addition to legislative action, are part of the overall process.
The Senate recorded a roll-call result (as read aloud in the transcript) of 24 "yay" votes, 3 "nay" votes and 2 absences for the measure on Monday; the resolution will proceed in the legislative process and requires continued DEQ oversight and any required executive approval.
Next steps: the resolution will continue through the legislative process; DEQ review, facility-level testing and public engagement remain part of the approval chain.
