|
Utah Needs Leadership on Toxic Waste |
|
|
 When the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847, they probably never imagined that future state leaders would allow the pioneers' new home to become a dumping ground for other people's toxic waste. While he was governor of Utah territory, Brigham Young talked alot about stewardship of the land the Lord had given them. They knew it was a gift, and it was their responsibility to take care of it.
Too bad our current governor and state legislature don't feel the same. Governor Herbert dithered on the depleted uranium shipment until it was too late. When the shipment was nearly already on its way, he finally made an effort to stop it. Congressman Jim Matheson has worked for a long time to stop the dumping of waste in Utah's deserts. Matheson asked the Energy Department to stop these shipments three months ago, long before they were scheduled to come to Utah. However, Governor Herbert decided to join in just only last month. That way he can be on both sides on the issue. Opponents of taking the waste can believe he's on our side while Energy Solutions still gets the waste. What did the governor really do? Not much. The toxic waste is here now. Supposedly it will only be here temporarily. But "temporary" could be at least several years. One wonders what could have been accomplished if the governor had acted on this issue before now!
Utah needs a leader who will stand up to the waste industry and tell them we're not the dumping ground for the world. Clearly, that leader is not Gary Herbert.
|
|
