A legislative panel in Wyoming has moved forward with a draft measure aimed at facilitating discussions on modifying state laws regarding the temporary storage of high-level radioactive fuel waste from nuclear power plants. The Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee approved the draft bill on Tuesday and plans to sponsor it when the full Legislature reconvenes in January.
Rep. Donald Burkhart Jr. (R-Rawlins), co-chair of the committee and an advocate for nuclear fuel waste storage in the state, outlined the proposal earlier in July. He noted that the legislation would primarily update existing state statutes to align them with the regulations of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy.
“This is not about debating the merits of nuclear waste storage,” Burkhart clarified, explaining that the committee was addressing the request of the Legislature’s Regulatory Reduction Task Force. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to amend current laws rather than initiate a broader policy discussion.
Burkhart previously indicated that nuclear storage could be financially beneficial for Wyoming, as the state could gain over $4 billion annually from storing nuclear waste. He mentioned his conversations with a landowner in Fremont County interested in selling land for a storage facility, which would require a $2 million purchase and approximately $400 million for construction, all funded by private investors, not the state.
While Burkhart refrained from elaborating on all details during the recent meeting, he highlighted the need to amend state statutes that conflict with federal regulations. The idea of allowing nuclear waste storage in Wyoming is not new; a measure to facilitate this was vetoed by former Gov. Mike Sullivan in 1992 after significant public debate. Although state laws have since evolved to address spent nuclear fuel storage, a continued prohibition exists against commercial high-level radioactive waste facilities without a federal repository.
Opponents of the draft measure argue it could pave the way for unpopular nuclear waste storage, a notion previously rejected by Wyoming as well as other states. Concerns about the lack of public consultation surrounding the proposal were expressed by Carl Fisher, executive director of the Wyoming Outdoor Council, who emphasized potential risks to local communities and natural resources.
Jill Morrison, an advocate against previous similar proposals, pointed out the draft bill allows only 30 days’ notice for public awareness before construction begins, stressing the complexities involved in managing high-level radioactive waste. She called for more public input before moving forward with such significant decisions impacting the state.
Despite dissent, some committee members, including Sen. Ed Cooper (R-Ten Sleep), expressed the need to allow discussions about waste storage and affirmed that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides a rigorous scrutiny process that includes public involvement. Former Senate President Eli Bebout echoed support for the measure, asserting its potential importance in the context of America’s energy needs, particularly as nuclear power gains renewed interest.
Federal initiatives for establishing a permanent repository for high-level radioactive waste are currently in the hands of the Department of Energy, which is working on a consent-based siting program to encourage local support for such a facility. However, there is no existing permanent repository or clear progress towards one.