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Every time we've mined uranium, we've been left with a toxic mess. We need to protect our air and water from radioactive contamination by not funding uranium mining.

Friend,

Every uranium mine ever operated in the United States has needed toxic waste cleanup, some over hundreds of acres of land.1 Despite this reality, a leftover plan from the Trump administration could put $75 million toward mining the radioactive element.

Contaminated water and airborne uranium dust pour out of uranium mines, threatening local residents, visitors and every downstream community -- not to mention the entire ecosystem.2

The Department of Energy is holding a public comment period on its Uranium Reserve Program, which would fund expanded uranium mining -- and the toxic contamination that results.

Sign our petition asking the Department of Energy not to fund toxic uranium mines.

The uranium mining industry has been declining for decades.3 This new program would subsidize this failing industry, making taxpayers foot the bill for its unsuccessful and highly toxic projects.

The Department of Energy's Uranium Reserve Program, if enacted, would create a backup source for nuclear fuel plants.4 With clean, renewable energy becoming more energy and cost efficient by the day, why waste taxpayer money on what will more than likely contaminate our air and water?5

Waste left from uranium mining is 85% as radioactive as the original uranium and can stay that way for thousands of years.6 It can also contain arsenic and other toxic chemicals, which can leach into the environment long after the mine has closed.7

Rather than throwing good money into a dangerous industry, we need to move away from uranium mining now, because once it begins, long-lasting, toxic contamination of our environment is all but guaranteed.

The public comment period on this program ends Sept. 10. Add your voice to the call to keep uranium contamination out of our air and water.

Environment Colorado and our national network have helped to protect the Grand Canyon and its surrounding area from uranium mining in the past. Now it's time to block this national proposal in order to help preserve all of our special places and keep our water and air clean.

Uranium mining is one of the riskiest industrial activities in the world.8

A 1979 uranium mill disaster in New Mexico released more radiation into waterways than was released at Three Mile Island.9 With over 500 abandoned uranium mines just on Navajo land that still leach contaminants, we cannot responsibly fund even more uranium mining.10

Keep uranium out of our air and water by adding your name today.

Thank you for taking action,

Rex Wilmouth
Senior Program Director


1. "Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure," Environment America, June 6, 2018.
2. "Request for Information Regarding Establishment of the Department of Energy Uranium Reserve Program," Federal Register, August 11, 2021.
3. Zak Podmore, "Campaign contributions, including from a Utah operator, preceded creation of federal uranium stockpile," The Salt Lake City Tribune, February 22, 2021.
4. "Request for Information Regarding Establishment of the Department of Energy Uranium Reserve Program," Federal Register, August 11, 2021.
5. "Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure," Environment America, June 6, 2018.
6. "Potential Human Health Effects of Uranium Mining, Processing, and Reclamation," National Center for Biotechnology Information, December 19, 2011.
7. "Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure," Environment America, June 6, 2018.
8. "Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure," Environment America, June 6, 2018.
9. "Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure," Environment America, June 6, 2018.
10. "Navajo Nation: Cleaning Up Abandoned Uranium Mines," Environmental Protection Agency, last accessed August 26, 2021.


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Environment Colorado, Inc.
1543 Wazee St., Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 573-3871
720-627-8862

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