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Aaron J. Tilton Recent criticism has given many the erroneous impression that since I am a member of the Public Utilities and Technology Committee of the Utah House of Representatives, somehow I have a conflict of interest with a business that I partly own that is seeking to build a nuclear power plant in Utah. Since political opponents are likely to distort the facts -- whether maliciously or out of ignorance -- in hopes of convincing voters that a conflict of interest exists where there is none, it is only prudent that I address this question.
The allegation simply is not true. I am proud of my private business ventures, one of which involves the development of a proposed nuclear power plant in Utah, a venture that has the potential for long-lasting benefits for Utah's environment, economy and energy supply. My involvement is as a private developer. The proposed plant would be entirely funded by private investors, with no public money. When Gov. Jon Huntsman was asked if alleged conflicts of interest among some lawmakers would prevent the project from getting a fair hearing at the Legislature, Huntsman said, "I can't speak to that issue. This isn't necessarily a Legislature-driven issue. This is more national policy." The fact is, there is no need for any legislation or action by the Legislature to permit or issue a license for this project. Not only did the governor say that nuclear power is not a Legislature-driven issue, he also said that the state must be open to nuclear power being produced within its borders, referring to my project. "You have to keep the nuclear option on the table because it's a carbon-free source of power," Huntsman said at his monthly KUED-TV news conference. He also has been quoted in the news media as saying, "The state will only be peripherally involved in what is a federal process." The Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee, on which I serve, primarily deals with legislation relating to public utilities like Rocky Mountain Power, Qwest and Questar rather than private companies, like mine, that develop power projects. Neither the committee nor the Utah Legislature has any say over whether a nuclear power plant can be permitted or licensed, as all regulation is at the federal level (through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission). Regarding the complex energy problems facing Utah, I am proud of the knowledge and expertise I bring to the legislative process. Remember these facts when you hear about a supposed conflict of interest. There is none. Period. It doesn't matter how many times a falsehood is repeated, it still doesn't make it true. And remember; when someone tells you something that is not true (like this false conflict of interest) there is a high likelihood that other things they are telling you are false as well.
• Aaron J. Tilton represents District 65 in the Utah House of Representatives. |
