Nuclear Waste Activist Enters Race For Governor Peter Rickards Will Be Running As An Independent Candidate

Peter Rickards, who has spent much of his time criticizing the way Gov. Phil Batt and other state leaders have handled the nuclear waste issue, is launching an independent bid for governor.

Rickards, a Twin Falls podiatrist, told a Statehouse news conference on Friday his big issue is to stop the spread of plutonium contamination from the National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.

“Idaho politicians are cooperating with the re-burial of plutonium over our water supply,” he said. “Idaho is becoming the plutonium incinerator center.”

He said he would ban the disposal of plutonium contamination through incineration until the Centers for Disease Control Advisory panel can test the filters. He’s a member of the panel.

Batt announced Sept. 17 he would not seek a second term as governor. Rickards said two Republicans mentioned as top contenders have very bad records on working on the plutonium contamination problem. They are Sen. Dirk Kempthorne and Rep. Michael Crapo.

Rickards is circulating initiative petitions to force cleanup of the Radioactive Waste Management Complex at INEL. He said he’s about halfway to his personal goal of gathering 2,400 signatures.

Initiative backers need 41,335 signatures from registered voters by next July to qualify for the next general election ballot.

Rickards said it will take a major grass-roots effort. “I will not have paid signatures, ever,” he said.

Rickards said he favors removing Lower Snake River dams to protect salmon that try to return to Idaho to spawn, but would not vote to remove cattle from Idaho public lands. Grazing is compatible with other uses, he said.