Companies have deep ties to Trump administration
** Collapsing uranium industry asks for federal bailout
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Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Energy Fuels Resources' White Mesa Uranium Mill in Utah | EcoFlight ([link removed])
CEOs for two leading uranium corporations are asking President Trump for a bailout ([link removed]) , warning, "our industry is on the cusp of complete collapse, now." While low uranium prices have hobbled the industry for years, Energy Fuels Resources and Ur-Energy asked the president to invoke the Defense Production Act to build a national uranium stockpile, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
The two companies have deep ties to the Trump administration. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt provided legal services ([link removed]) to Ur-Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheelerlobbied for Energy Fuels Resources ([link removed]) , pressuring the Trump administration to vastly shrink Bears Ears National Monument on behalf of the company.
While the two companies blame the coronavirus pandemic for suspending mine operations, the struggling uranium industry has spent years asking for assistance. In January 2018, the two companies asked the Trump administration ([link removed]) to enact quotas for the use of domestic uranium in the utility industry. Though President Trump denied the request, he established a task force ([link removed]) to offer recommendations on ways to boost domestic production. In January 2020, Energy Fuels Resources laid off one-third of its workforce ([link removed]) , citing low uranium prices.
Quick hits
** Lawyer with no park experience appointed to lead Grand Canyon National Park
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Washington Post ([link removed])
** Volatile oil markets hammer Utah drillers
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Deseret News ([link removed])
** Coronavirus complicates California wildfire preparation, raising worry over evacuation shelters
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Ammon Bundy, leader of armed wildlife refuge occupation, urges Idahoans to ignore coronavirus restrictions
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New York Times ([link removed])
** Court rules Forest Service must analyze environmental impacts of controversial Oregon tree thinning project
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Bloomberg Environment ([link removed])
** Bryce Canyon joins list of closed parks after local pressure
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Deseret News ([link removed])
** Workers at major New Mexico copper mine test positive for COVID-19
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Reuters ([link removed])
** Opinion: Colorado county hires Bundy lawyer to develop outdated, extractive land use plan
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
Quote of the day
I want the virus now.”
—Ammon Bundy, New York Times ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Rock bottom is considered an insult, but the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin @DeathValleyNPS ([link removed]) is actually quite lovely under a colorful sunset #California ([link removed]) #VirtualVisit ([link removed])
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