Whose Side is My Opponent On?

Utahns have said loud and clear they don't want to be the dumping ground, or the transit route or the "downwind" graveyard for nuclear waste, spent nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons testing.  Enough is enough.

 I was dumbfounded when, during last night's Conversation with the Candidates on KSL 5 hosted by Bruce Lindsay, my opponent said the following about bringing foreign nuclear waste to Utah:

 " I have no problem with them bringing it here and storing it here.  What they want to do is bring it to the US and recycle it and then sell most of it to Japan.  I have no problem with 'em recycling it and selling this waste to Japan."

 My opponent doesn't understand the facts.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which sets policy for handling and disposing of radioactive waste, says even low-level radioactive waste is dangerous for 100 years.  There is no "recycling" of nuclear waste in this country. In spite of overwhelming opposition from Utahn citizens, the company that operates the low level radioactive waste site in Tooele County has been quietly taking waste from foreign countries-in small amounts-for years.  Utah doesn't want it; the 8-state compact overseeing waste disposal in the West doesn't want it.  The company is suing everyone involved to try to get its way.  I'm fighting to pass federal legislation that says no to foreign countries trying to unload their nuclear garbage on this country.  Importing foreign radioactive waste is bad public policy.  But my opponent just doesn't get it.

Elections matter.  Whom you vote for when it comes to Utah's future matters.  There's a clear difference between me and my opponent.  I'm putting the health and safety and economic prosperity of Utah first, not the needs of foreign countries.