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DEQ’s Role in Nuclear Energy
As the state of Utah continues to explore the viability of nuclear energy as a power source in Utah to support our growing energy demands as a state, our role at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is very specific: safety and efficiency. Safety is our number one role, and we embrace that responsibility. It…
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Nuclear Waste Management in the United States
What is nuclear waste? Producing power with nuclear energy creates nuclear waste. The term, nuclear waste, typically refers to “spent” or “used” nuclear fuel. This is fuel that’s been used in a nuclear reactor for about five years and can no longer efficiently sustain a chain reaction. Despite being labeled as “waste,” used nuclear fuel…
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Utah’s Unique Role in National Uranium Production
While many states handle radioactive materials, Utah is the only state in the nation with the legal authority to regulate an active conventional uranium mill. This means Utah’s regulators have a level of expertise and responsibility found nowhere else in the country. Current operations at the White Mesa Mill The primary focus of Utah’s current…
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Utah’s National Leadership in Waste Management
Utah is home to one of four active commercial disposal facilities for Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) in the United States. Through the EnergySolutions Clive facility, the state provides a critical service for the entire nation, safely managing materials from hospitals, power plants, and research labs. What exactly is “Low-Level” Waste? The term “low-level” refers to…
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Radioactive Materials in Utah
Beyond large-scale disposal and milling, radioactive materials (RAM) are essential tools used in Utah’s hospitals, construction sites, and research universities. As an Agreement State, Utah has the local authority to license and inspect over 200 different organizations that use these materials. What are “Radioactive Materials”? In this context, radioactive materials refers to small, controlled amounts…
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Utah’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office
When the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office was created and tasked with several technical and administrative functions. The Office serves as the official bridge between the State of Utah and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This ensures that when federal licenses are being discussed…
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Strategic Planning
From the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s inception in 1991, strategic planning has always been part of the management decision-making process. Annual planning retreats are held each spring by the individual divisions and by the department as a whole. Internal and external assessments are made; issues are identified; and goals, objectives, and strategies are developed…
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Public Notice and Comment Policy
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is committed to providing an opportunity for all individuals to participate in the development of environmental regulations and policies. To achieve this goal, DEQ has established the following public notice and comment policy. FREE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE If you speak a non-English language, we offer language assistance services for…
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State of the Environment
The Department of Environmental Quality State of the Environment report highlights the many accomplishments and successes our agency has had throughout the previous year. Read our report to see each Division’s metrics, success stories, and quotes from partners.
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Disability Nondiscrimination Plan
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) is committed to providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity for full participation in its programs, services, and activities through its compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.…
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DEQ Grievance and Discrimination Complaint Procedure (Non-Employee)
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (herein referred to as UDEQ) prohibits discrimination, intimidation, and/or retaliatory conduct based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, English language proficiency, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. UDEQ will not tolerate…
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Limited English Proficiency Plan
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) serves people of different cultures and backgrounds. Language differences, including varying levels of English-language proficiency, should not be a barrier to engagement with and participation in UDEQ programs, services, and activities, and benefits. Further, it is UDEQ’s intent that all persons have the opportunity to provide input to…
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UDEQ Nondiscrimination Policy
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or service that it provides based on race, color, national origin, or based on gender or disability, or based on age, in violation of…
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Environmental Incident Database User Guide
In August 2024, we updated the Environmental Incident Database (EID) and launched the new public portal. The portal will be a great addition to helping the public search for environmental incidents reported to DEQ. Access the spills database Go toDEQspillsPS.deq.utah.gov or Click “DEQ Spills Database” at deq.utah.gov/general/report-an-incident Search for an incident There are two ways…
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Water and Wastewater System Cybersecurity Plan
On March 18, 2024, the White House issued a press release addressed to governors nationwide, alerting them to a critical security threat facing water and wastewater systems in the U.S.. The communication highlighted that water systems, both large and small, are being targeted by foreign entities with malicious intent. The threat actors are actively seeking…
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