Denver district judge allows uranium mill lawsuit to move ahead

A Denver district judge this week rejected motions by the state of Colorado and a Canadian uranium mining company to throw out a lawsuit challenging the proposed Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill in Montrose County. Denver District Judge Brian Whitney sided with the Telluride-based Sheep Mountain Alliance, which contends the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) may have violated various state and federal laws in issuing a permit for the mill. The lawsuit can now move forward.

Groups say EPA poised to approve uranium mill using outdated radon regulations

Colorado conservation groups battling a proposed uranium mill in far western Colorado have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold off on approving the project until the federal agency updates its antiquated air quality regulations for radon emissions.

New report: uranium mill would hurt tourism, recreation, residential industries near Telluride

A new study commissioned by an environmental group opposed to a proposed uranium mill in far western Colorado concludes the project could adversely impact economic growth in the area because of potential radiation contamination and the stigma of a new nuclear boom. Produced for the Telluride-based Sheep Mountain Alliance, which is suing to stop the proposed Piñon Ridge Mill in Montrose County, the new report (pdf) found that the outdoor recreation, tourism and residential sectors (both retirees and new residents) would be hurt by an upsurge in uranium mining activity in the area.

Colorado’s nuclear past clouds its new-energy future

Should a nuclear power plant be considered an alternative energy source? The Denver Post seems to think so, despite the fact nuclear accounts for about 20 percent of the nation’s electrical power.

The Post kicked off an interesting weekend…

Cash-strapped Energy Fuels can pay for uranium mill but not for clean up

A Canadian company looking to build the first new uranium mill in the United States in nearly three decades is burning through cash at a rate that could leave it broke right about the time it hopes to secure its final approvals from Colorado public health officials.

Uranium processing bill makes it out of Senate, heads back to House

The state Senate Wednesday passed a tough new uranium processing bill that will require companies to clean up past toxic pollution before being allowed to expand operations.

House Bill 1348 (pdf), the Uranium Processing Accountability Act, met little resistance in…

Uranium surge prompts Colorado lawmakers to call for stiff cleanup regulations

A coalition of conservation groups warily eyeing a possible resurgence of Colorado uranium mining in the wake of a national push for more nuclear energy rallied support for a bipartisan uranium cleanup bill at the Capitol Thursday.

State to begin uranium mill review despite lack of enviro feedback

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment late last week deemed complete a uranium mill application by Ontario-based Energy Fuels, starting what will be up to a year-long review. An environmental group suing to stop the Montrose County proposal…

Markey, Bennet call on EPA to give public a say in proposed uranium mine

U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey and Sen. Michael Bennet Monday released a letter they sent to the Environmental Protection Agency calling for more public involvement in any federal regulation of a proposed uranium mine 15 miles northeast of Fort Collins in…

Telluride environmental group sues Montrose County over uranium mill

Montrose County commissioners met in secret and had already made up their minds before approving a special use permit for a uranium mill in the Paradox Valley, a lawsuit filed in Montrose County District Court alleges.

The suit, filed…