SLC-based nuclear waste processing company EnergySolutions has been acquired by Energy Capital Partners for an undisclosed price, Axios Pro's Alan Neuhauser reports.

The intrigue: The sale comes as Utah is bidding for a federal nuclear hub in Tooele County, where EnergySolutions currently operates a landfill for radioactive waste.

• In a nearly-300-page proposal submitted last week, state officials say Utah is "prepared to support" higher-level radioactive waste storage than exists there now.

Catch up quick: EnergySolutions transports, processes, recycles and disposes of nuclear fuel and other radiological material.

• Its proposals over the years to import international waste and store materials with higher levels of radioactivity have been controversial. Critics have warned of transportation hazards and risks associated with materials that become more radioactive over time.

Zoom in: In December, an inter-state panel approved an expansion to import 1.3 million cubic yards of low-level radioactive waste from Canada — the first foreign nuclear waste brought to Utah.

• Environmental groups object to the plan, which still requires approval from Canadian and U.S. authorities.

The big picture: Investors are zeroing in on companies that can ride the rising wave of demand for nuclear energy.

• EnergySolutions is among a subset of companies that once made a business of decommissioning nuclear power plants, and now sees a future serving new ones.

The fine print: Energy Capital Partners acquired EnergySolutions from TriArtisan Capital Advisors.

• EnergySolutions works with commercial power plants, research sites, medical institutions, and government labs and agencies in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.

💭 Alan's thought bubble: Nuclear fuel and nuclear services provide a lower-risk opportunity to generate profit from an expected surge in new nuclear power plants — with far less risk than developing a novel reactor.

Read more

💧Nearly two-thirds of Utah land is in "extreme drought," per the U.S. Drought Monitor. (FOX 13)

⛷️Investors are considering major developments at Nordic Valley Ski Resort, including a potential village at the base, lodging and 12 new chairlifts. (KSL)

🌡️ Multiple states are looking at modeling a new Utah law that makes it harder to sue over climate change related to greenhouse gas emissions. (Guardian)

🌷A u-pick tulip festival is underway in the fields outside Spanish Fork for as long as the blooms last. Tickets start at $13.95. (Utah Tulip Festival)

📺 Embattled reality star Taylor Frankie Paul of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" fame says "it's time" for her "to detach" from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (via Instagram)

After a half-century of enrichment courses in arts, sports, finance, foreign languages and dozens of other skills, the Salt Lake City School District is canceling its popular community education classes.

Why it matters: Students of all ages have enrolled in dozens of courses offered each year, from How to Buy Your First Home to Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People.

Driving the news: Axios obtained an email in March alerting teachers that the program was ending this summer.

• Per a district statement, the program "was using resources that could be directed towards" pre-K through 12-grade classrooms.

What they're saying: Instructor Pamela Olson told Axios her floral design course grew as more students showed interest, with some using their new skills in small businesses.

• "I think a lot of people sign up for things like woodworking or welding, just to get a foot in at a really reasonable price," Olson said. "Without having to full-on go to a community college, you can just get some basic skills that might take you to the next level."

Follow the money: The courses were famously low-cost, with the vast majority charging less than $200, and a few charging as little as $5.

Tell a friend