Senator Terry Spencer
Utah State Legislature

During the 2001 state Legislative session in Utah, Senator Terry Spencer of Davis County sponsored several bills aimed and delaying or defeating the plans of Private Fuel Storage to operate a nuclear waste storage facility in Utah. The interview was conducted in the Utah State Capitol by program Producer Ken Verdoia.

Ken Verdoia: Senator, Private Fuel Storage has proposed a high level radioactive waste storage facility for the Skull Valley reservation lands in Tooele County. Clearly you're opposed to it. What is the basis for your opposition?

Senator Terry Spencer: We have a major metropolitan area with two-million people less then 40 miles from the proposed site. We're talking about high level nuclear waste, at this point in time. We're not talking about the low level stuff that is easy to deal with and has been buried out there for the last 40 years. We're talking about stuff that's going to be radioactive for the next 10,000 years. And this is just a place that is too close to a major metropolitan area to be placing stuff like that.

Verdoia: You've also been quoted as saying that this is one of those rare, first impression issues. What does that mean?

Sen. Spencer: What that means is there's not a lot of case law that speaks directly to the issues we are trying to raise. One way or the other on whether a private company can come in and put this type of material, even on what is so called private land that is owned by the Goshutes, in this particular case. It's going to take some time for the courts, both state and federal, to figure out what the limitations are that are imposed on both the state, in keeping the stuff out and on Private Fuel Storage, in bringing the stuff to Utah, if that ever occurs.

Verdoia: As a State Legislator, you are one of a group of individuals charged with keeping Utah secure, planning for the future, working toward those future generations. I bring this up because I noticed that you've spoken of those concerns as they effect you personally on this issue in your family. Can you speak to that issue, the notion of keeping Utah safe for the next generation?

Sen. Spencer: Yes, we're looking at something that's going to be radioactive for 10,000 years. You know, my children, my grandchildren, my great-great grandchildren, if this stuff comes here will have to deal with that problem. If the stuff is as safe as Private Fuel Storage says the stuff is, then why not keep it were it's at? Utah should not become a dumping ground for other persons high level waste. We have property values here. We've got various recreational opportunities here. All of which would be impacted greatly with high level nuclear waste coming to Utah.

Verdoia: You have a rather rare distinction, Private Fuel Storage has singled you out in a press release for criticism for making decisions and pushing legislation based upon fear rather than science. How do you respond to that characterization by Private Fuel Storage?

Sen. Spencer: Well, I probably ask for it. This was my idea in combination with the governor's office that this stuff should not come here. After being an environmental lawyer in California and working with various other issues, this is one of those things that I will stand up and take the criticism, head on. And it doesn't matter to me what criticism comes in the future, this is one issue that needs to be dealt with and I'm the person to deal with it.

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