Energy Solutions, which has been longing to dump foreign nuclear waste in Utah, is nothing if not persistent — not to mention insidious.

Gov. Jon Huntsman and Rep. Jim Matheson thought they had pretty much sealed the state off from Energy Solutions' foreign radioactive ambitions. But they didn't count on an end run through the Legislature.

The Tribune's Judy Fahys and Robert Gehrke uncovered a secret deal being worked out between Energy Solutions and Republican legislative leadership. It's simple: Let the company import foreign waste and it would split the profits with the state. It could mean $1 billion cash infusion to a state that is hard up.

Energy Solutions spokeswoman Jill Sigal says nothing is concrete yet, but:

We think there's an opportunity for the governor, the Legislature and EnergySolutions to come together and find a solution to this issue and also to provide a benefit and assistance to the people, the citizens of the state of Utah.