The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected attempts to stop the licensing of a nuclear waste dump on the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation in Utah.

The state and some tribal members challenged the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's authority to issue a permit to a privately-operated site. But the court, in a 3-0 decision, said federal law does not prohibit such sites.

A consortium of eight private companies signed a lease to store up to 44,000 tons of waste on the reservation. Some tribal members oppose the deal, s signed by the tribe's chairman, who is under federal indictment for alleged fraud and theft.

Get the Story:
Appeals court rejects Utah argument, says NRC can license private nuclear dump (AP 2/25)
State is handed a setback in waste fight (The Salt Lake Tribune 2/25)

Get the Decision:
Bullcreek v. NRC (Feburary 24, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Skull Valley Goshute Tribe - http://www.skullvalleygoshutes.org

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