Otter supports nuclear fuel shipment

Bringing spent nuclear fuel rods into Idaho has been a hot topic lately.

There have been questions about how much waste would come into the state. The Department of Energy has proposed 200 pounds, but the group Snake River Alliance said it’s 20 tons. That number is what’s making people nervous.

“I would be anxious about 20 tons coming in,” Governor Butch Otter said.

He said that number is misleading and he said it is 200lbs that is coming in.

The governor said he supports bringing in the spent nuclear fuel rods.

“Remember this is 200 pounds of commercial research waste and that’s going to allow us up to $20 million a year for five years of research, but more importantly it protects the futures of the lab,” Otter said.