New Energy Future News

In August, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will begin the process of drafting and issuing a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) on in situ leach uranium mining. If adopted, the GEIS will remove the current environmental inquiries required for each specific proposed mining site, restrict public comment on future uranium mining licenses and undermine environmental justice in our state.

As the price of uranium continues to rise, more and more corporations are trying to get in on the profits by applying for licenses in New Mexico for in situ mining. Already they have applied for exploratory permits near communities, and on U.S. Forest Service lands on Mt. Taylor. In situ mining requires the injection of chemicals into the ground that destabilize radioactive and other toxic minerals, which then leach into and ruin our drinking water. Once our aquifers are poisoned with uranium and other toxic heavy metals, they will never be clean again.

On August 9, the NRC will hold a public meeting in Albuquerque to hear public comment on the GEIS. We must make our voices heard to prevent the GEIS from being adopted. Tell the NRC that there should be no GENERIC impact statement on uranium mining.

The NRC is holding a public meeting on the GEIS in Albuquerque next week, where you can submit written and/or oral comments.

Send your written comments to the NRC by September 4 to nrcrep@nrc.gov, or write to Chief, Rules Review and Directives Branch, Mail Stop T-6D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 20555-0001.