In all seriousness, though, I am of mixed opinions about S.B. 42, if only because the bill does quite a bit to prevent nuclear power plants (not waste) from setting up shop in our state. On the other hand, this bill also codifies into law that nuclear power plants have to follow the same rules as coal-fired plants; in theory a nuclear plant currently does not need the approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

As I stated above, this bill would kill the possibility for nuclear plants to set up shop in Utah for the foreseeable future. In it, the bill specifically states that the PSC will not approve any nuclear plant until “there is a federally licensed facility in the United States with adequate capacity to dispose o high-level nuclear waste.” As it stands, no such facility exists, and the only thing that comes close is the infamous Yucca Mountain outside of Las Vegas – however do to citizen outcry and government tie ups, we can not reasonably expect a federally licensed facility for the next 10-15 at minimum.

I suspect that this is the point all along. This bill, if it is passed, would prevent any plant from going up anywhere. Part of me also feels that this is a reaction to the actions of such esteemed legislators like former Representative Aaron Tiltion (who, by the by, got booted out of the seat by his own party) and Representative Mike Noel who, back in October of 2007, attempted to push through legislation that would allow a proposed plant to go up. The two, as it turned out, could have gained financially from the deal.

My personal opinion is that we need to keep the possibility of nuclear power on the table. I know my environmental friends will probably disagree with me, however they can not deny the potential benefits of a nuclear plant (and I, in return will not deny the potential harms).

I honestly don’t know what will happen to S.B. 42, my guess is one of two things: either the bill passes because legislators don’t want to be seen as a pro-waste legislature (Though their support of Energy Solutions puts that one in doubt), or they will find a way to let this bill quietly die as to prevent this type of discussion from entering the public forum…But hey! That is why I am here!