January 25, 2006

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Senators OK N-Waste Override
It would give lawmakers power to block governor's veto of Envirocare expansion
By Judy Fahys
Salt Lake Tribune
January 24, 2006

Lawmakers took another punch at the governor's power on Monday.
   

The Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Committee approved on a 3-2 vote SB70, which would give lawmakers new veto override authority in the licensing of a commercial waste facility.
   

The bill would change a policy enacted 16 years ago that requires a five-step review, capped by a governor's approval, to permit new and expanded commercial waste facilities. The bill goes next to the full Senate for a vote.
   

Sponsoring Sen. Howard Stephenson insists SB70 is only intended to allow lawmakers an override vote they already have on most bills. Yet, public testimony centered on Stephenson's "integrity and motives."
   

Some suggest Stephenson has a conflict of interest. President of and registered lobbyist for the Utah Taxpayers Association, his measure would help a large, dues-paying member of the association, Envirocare of Utah. SB70, if passed, could remove Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. as an obstacle to the company's plans to double the size of its low-level radioactive and hazardous waste site in Tooele County.
   

The committee amended the bill's effective date to July 1, 2007, but Envirocare will be able to seek approval for the expansion through 2010.
   

Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi, said he was offended by the implication that Stephenson was doing anything improper. "I don't know anyone with more integrity than Senator Stephenson," he said.
   

But public speakers questioned why there have been other commercial facilities approved using the current process, and a two-year legislative task force on waste facilities, but the override issue did not come up until after Huntsman announced he would oppose Envirocare's expansion two months ago.
   

"All [of a] sudden Envirocare wants to change the rules of the game," said Mary Draper, a Salt Lake County resident.
   

Consumer activist Claire Geddes told the senators that SB70 fostered more cynicism about lawmakers and goes against the grain of the majority of Utahns, who oppose Utah being a radioactive waste dumping ground.
   

Huntsman sent no representatives to testify against the measure on Monday. But he remains strongly opposed to it, said Huntsman spokesman Mike Mower.
   

"To us," Mower said, "it's less about the balance of power and much more about protecting the health and safety of all Utahns and preserving the image of our state."
   

fahys@sltrib.com