New rules on uranium processing pass House

[bananas]

Source: Durango Herald

New regulations on uranium processing passed the state House on Monday, despite a plea from Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, that they would destroy hope in the mining towns in his district.

Senate Bill 192 is intended to address an environmental disaster caused by the Cotter uranium mill in Cañon City, where radioactive waste poisoned a neighborhood’s groundwater for years.

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Coram led opposition to the bill, both Monday and in Friday debate that stretched into Saturday morning. He said the bill could kill a potential $3 billion vanadium industry on the Western Slope. Vanadium, which is used to produce batteries, is found alongside uranium in the region.

Coram, who owns uranium and vanadium mines in the region, said state and federal regulators would be better able to decide what mines need extra scrutiny, not the 65 members of the House of Representatives.

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Read more: http://durangoherald.com/article/20140505/NEWS01/140509765/-1/s/New-rules-on-uranium-processing-pass-House-

[bananas]

1. Regulating a radioactive milkshake; Politics get toxic fast when environmental protection and busine

http://www.coloradoindependent.com/147325/regulating-a-radioactive-milkshake

Regulating a radioactive milkshake

Politics get toxic fast when environmental protection and business interests collide

Tessa Cheek
May 05, 2014 Environment/Energy

DENVER – Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, lead the charge Monday in opposing SB 192, a measure that would mandate the cleanup of radiation-tainted water wells near the Cotter uranium mill in Cañon City. It would also bring state licensing processes up to federal standards of public transparency and put new water-based extraction technologies under the regulation of the Department of Health and the Environment.

That last regulatory portion of the bill is a deal-breaker for Coram, who owns five uranium and vanadium mills across San Miguel and Montrose counties. The bill proposes classifying these new technologies the same way the state does milling, requiring a special license for the practice and putting it under the comprehensive oversight of the Department of Health as opposed to the more limited regulation of the Division of Mining.

<snip>

That said, Coram may have a financial stake in the regulatory portion of the bill he opposes. Coram’s company, Gold Eagle Mining Inc., bought four uranium mines, three of which are along the Dolores river, back in 1998. While the mines have mostly been out of production since the 80s, Coram’s company is facing an injunction from the state to complete environmental cleanup at all four sites by the end of this month.

On April 15th, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety sent a letter to Coram concerned that the Department of Energy hasn’t approved any plans to reclaim the mines, nor has the environmental cleanup work begun. Coram is expected to file for an extension by May 14.

<snip>

[newfie11]

2. Having lived in Ambrosia Lake NM in the late 50's I can sympathize

Good luck to folks in that area. Might want to start checking your thyroids once in a while. Don't get pregnant either.

[DeSwiss]

3. Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, seen here in his normal workaday clothing on the right......

...and his ''Congressman's Clothes'' on the left.


(This is how Colorado Conservatives see him.)

- Owns uranium and vanadium mines, and then actively participates in trying to thwart legislation that is designed to regulate them.

How much more blatantly and obviously corrupt do you want it to be, America?

K&R