Federal Agency’s Decision May Halt Uranium Mill’s Progress

Comments:  State of VA, take heed but of course a certain group used Canada and CO as examples of "Best International Uranium Mining Practices" which the gov took to heart!  Okay, I am knock over by the NRC action, thank You NRC for your action, tell the state of VA, open up the Work Group session now!

by Gus Jarvis
Mar 13, 2012

MONTROSE COUNTY – In what seems to be a major blow to the proposed construction of Energy Fuels’ Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill in the Paradox Valley, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment did not follow procedures under federal law during the mill’s approval process and may force a new approval process.

Telluride Town Attorney Kevin Geiger told members of the Telluride Town Council on Tuesday that the concerns of the town and opponents of the mill appear to be “substantiated” by the federal government.

“They are very concerned about the pubic hearing components and made a finding that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment did not follow the proper procedures under federal law,” Geiger said.

Geiger cautioned members of council on further speculating on what the decision means but said it could lead to the reopening of a public hearing.

The Town of Telluride along with Ophir and the Telluride-based environmental group Sheep Mountain Alliance have challenged the licensing of the uranium mill, with the legal services of Public Justice, a national public interest law firm.

The litigation challenges the state’s licensing of the Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill, which was granted in January 2011.

According to Geiger and Public Justice, possible impacts were given little or no consideration by the state in its review process. 

Colorado is an “Agreement State” under the Federal Atomic Energy Act, which gives the state ultimate authority to license and approve radioactive projects. The NRC decision apparently concludes that the state did follow federal guidelines.

“We have said all along that the state needed to conduct public hearings, they did not,” Sheep Mountain Alliance Executive Director Hilary White said on Tuesday. “They needed to conduct a transparent application process, they did not.

They piecemealed all off the things necessary to make an approval and that approval was based on a flawed process.

“The NRC gives the authority to the state to process applications under the Atomic Energy Act,” she continued. “Colorado is an agreement state but it still has to follow the law and they didn’t.” White said she was notified of the decision in a letter from the NRC on Monday and does not yet know what the decision means for the permit itself.

Up until this week, Energy Fuels’ progress toward the start of construction was moving forward with success. Last December the Colorado Court of Appeals denied a legal challenge by Sheep Mountain Alliance, upholding the Montrose County Special Use Permit.

gjarvis@watchnewspapers.com or @gusgusj

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http://www.watchnewspapers.com/view/full_story/17859438/article-Federal-Agency%E2%80%99s-Decision-May-Halt-Uranium-Mill%E2%80%99s-Progress?instance=top_story