Higher radioactive waste fines up for publi..

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The Utah Division of Radiation Control wants to hear from people about its proposal to double fines for mishandling radioactive waste and to set strict new deadlines for its own handling of permit applications.

A legislative audit last fall found shortcomings in the state's oversight and enforcement program for mishandling radioactive waste.

It pointed to violations at the EnergySolutions low-level radioactive waste disposal site in 2011, after the company buried 23 barrels containing waste with higher concentrations of radiation than the state allows at its Tooele County landfill. EnergySolutions and companies that shipped the waste faced total penalties of $97,875 for the violations.

Under the new penalty categories, the maximum fine will now be $10,000 per violation, up from $5,000. The range of penalties is $500 apiece for minor violations to $10,000 for serious ones.

Comments will be accepted through the end of business on Aug. 30.

Written comments may be sent to the Utah Division of Radiation Control, P.O. Box 144850, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4850 or by email to radpublic@utah.gov with a subject line of Public Comment on Proposed Draft Radiation Control Rules.

fahys@sltrib.com

Twitter: @judyfutah

Higher radioactive waste fines up for public comment