Utah Approved as Temporary Nuclear Dumping Ground

The state of Utah and the Department of Energy have come to an agreement that will allow depleted uranium storage within the state, at least temporarily. Additional reviews are needed before the state officially stores the nuclear waste permanently.

1 minute read

December 21, 2009, 6:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"The governor was unable to convince Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Tuesday to halt the shipment, but he called Thursday's agreement a "reasonable compromise."

The 5,408 barrels of DU, as the waste is called, already on the way could only go into the ground for permanent disposal after the state completes its site-safety review. Herbert secured the agreement two days after the first of three shipments began rolling from South Carolina on train cars headed for Utah."

Trains carrying the waster are already rolling towards Utah, and could arrive early this week.

Friday, December 18, 2009 in The Salt Lake Tribune

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