Colo. Legislature passes uranium cleanup bill, Google hosted news, By COLLEEN SLEVIN (AP) – 29 April DENVER — Colorado lawmakers have passed a bill that requires uranium mills to clean up radioactive waste before accepting more radioactive material.The Senate voted 24-9 in favor of the bill Wednesday. Later the House agreed with changes made in the Senate and readopted the bill by a vote of 60-3. It now goes to Gov. Bill Ritter.
Mills are now allowed to postpone cleanup until they finish production and decommission their facilities.Lawmakers are concerned that a national focus on nuclear energy will allow mines to postpone cleanup while they ramp up production.Plans to revive a uranium mill in Canon City — a Superfund site since 1984 — and open a mill in Montrose County led environmentalists and activists to push for a change this year.The Cotter Corp. says the future of its Canon City mill is uncertain if the bill becomes law.
The Associated Press: Colo. Legislature passes uranium cleanup bill
