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HR 5632 bans the importation of nuclear waste from international countries for deposition on US soil. In fact, it is apparent that this bill should easily pass since environmental groups, state and local governments, and consumer groups are all unanimously in favor of such legislation. However, the only reason that this legislation is being stalled is because of EnergySolutions (the corporation at the center of the controversy) and their millions of dollars in campaign contributions. The largest recipients (principally Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), but many others as well) have opposed the measure in a clear influence of campaign donations, which have multiplied rapidly in the past year (it should also be noted that EnergySolutions is based in Utah, the site of the waste would be in Tennessee and Utah, and shipments would go through South Carolina). EnergySolutions also has a near monopoly on DOE contracts and nuclear waste processing in the US, and a significant amount of market control in the UK.

According to current rules, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) may or may not find it in accordance with current policies. While there are rules on the books about importation, the sheer size of the shipment (20,000 tons) has drawn the ire from environmentalists and citizens alike. Arguments concerning terror threats to transportation, limited waste capacity, states rights, and environmental impact are all important in determining what policy to take. However, these are all surpassed by the mere fact that one corporation is having a disproportional influence on government policy at the expense of the health and will of citizens.

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• HR 5632 (110th)

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HR 5632 has made nearly no progress recently—it has been mired in lawsuits and regulatory compliance issues. It is not expected that the NRC will deliver a ruling anytime soon, perhaps not until September 2009. But that hasn’t stopped donations from continuing as usual.

Ever since the Italian waste deal was announced back in December 2007, EnergySolutions has been tailoring their donations to targeted members of congress. Over 75% of the donations have been to members with close ties—either from an effected state or on an Energy Committee. In the past month, that number has increased. Rep. Bishop (R-UT), who represents the district of the facility in Utah, has received $25,000 from them since April (see story under “In the News”). Large donations have also been made to other representatives and both Utah Senators. All of this is having a huge effect—any progress has effectively stalled.

This story has huge implications for the company. Their second quarter profits seemed to be good, since profits doubled. But “revenues were down in the commercial services division and in logistics, where revenue declined primarily because of lower volumes of waste being disposed at the company’s low-level radioactive and hazardous waste site in Tooele County” (EngerySolutions profits double in second quarter, 8/11/08, Salt Lake Tribune). Even worse, EnergySolutions is in talks with the government of the United Kingdom for possible importation of low-level radiation from there.

It is clear that a discussion needs to take place over the policies and regulation of nuclear waste. But that doesn’t seem like it will happen anytime soon.

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