The Velvet-Wood mine proposal’s expedited analysis relies on the dubious claim that America is in an “energy emergency.” We have clean energy sources with wind, solar and geothermal, though Trump has stopped many of these because he doesn’t like the look of windmills and he doesn’t want to invest in secure, safe and cost-effective utilities.
The risks of nuclear energy have not been mitigated. We still do not have a long-term containment of spent nuclear fuel, nor do we have safe methods to transport the uranium. Already, the people of White Mesa, with the only active uranium mill in Utah, have contested the Energy Fuels Resources mine for over 40 years, and lost many members of their community to unknown cancers. The leach ponds at these sites are too old and threaten the ground water supply, plus air pollutants beguile this small tribal group. If Velvet-Wood mine is reopened without the proper analyses, the dangers will fall mostly on tribal nations as the ore will be transported through Moab, Hanksville, Blanding and Bears Ears National Monument, or through the Navajo Nation.
Nuclear energy is not clean energy. An analysis of reopening of any mine needs to be thorough and methodical, analyzing ground water threats, air pollution and safe travel. The BLM had already refused two previous applications from Anfield Mines. And the mine has released over 500,000 gallons of water tainted with uranium, radium and zinc to unnamed washes which will eventually flow into Moab and the Colorado River.
Trust in government is important, and this expedited review, not to mention many other anti-environmental actions by this administration, put us all at risk.
Patricia Becnel, Ogden
