nuclear-news

The cleanup of Moab uranium tailings – 17 more years to go?

Lack of funding to slow cleanup of uranium tailings (includes video) KSL.com Utah By Geoff Liesik , 13 April 12,  MOAB — Environmental crews have removed more than 5 million tons of radioactive tailings from the banks of the Colorado River in less than three years.

They still have about 11 million tons to go, but the pace of the cleanup is about to slow down.

Portage Inc., the company set to take over the job April 29, has announced that it will suspend work on the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project for three months each year during the term of its contract……

Graham is worried that the reduced funding for the project — the primary factor in Portage’s switch to a nine-month work schedule — will have an impact not only on the area’s economy but on the environment.

The initial plan called for the cleanup to be completed by 2019, Graham said.

“The rate they’re talking about at this moment means the pile would take another 17 years to move,” she said. “That is unacceptable to us and we’re hoping it’s unacceptable to the people downriver from us.”

Metzler acknowledged that “the funding these days is probably not as much as some people in the community would like to see.”… The Grand County Council has signed a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu that asks for at least another $5 million for the UMTRA project.

“There are 22 signees on to the letter,” Graham said. “So it’s not just little old Grand County down here kicking and screaming and throwing a temper tantrum. It’s lots of people, lots of organizations that are concerned with this slowdown.”  http://www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=19974549

April 14, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Resources -audiovicual, Uranium, USA, wastes