Gop Long-Shot Files Batt Recall Petition

Gov. Phil Batt took another hit Thursday over his deal with the federal government on nuclear waste as a long-shot Republican congressional candidate filed a petition for his recall.

Twin Falls podiatrist and anti-nuclear activist Peter Rickards focused attention on his claims that resumption of radioactive dumping is dangerous to public health and the environment by having 20 other physicians sign the petition needed to start the recall drive.

“I hope that since we’re using 20 doctors it will wake the people up and legitimize the issue,” Rickards said as he turned the petition into the secretary of state’s office for expected approval of its format.

The petition contends Batt failed to protect the state’s water supply in cutting the deal that allows another 1,133 shipments of waste to be dumped at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory over 40 years in return for promises that most waste will be removed from Idaho in the same period.