Uranium clean-up bill sails through House

Environment Colorado

House Bill 1348, the Uranium Processing Accountability Act, passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 62 to 2 today.

The following is a press statement by Matthew Garrington, program advocate of Environment Colorado.

“Today’s vote is absolutely amazing. Never before have we seen such strong bipartisan support on uranium legislation.

“Uranium processing has left behind a dirty, dangerous legacy in Colorado. Today, the Colorado House told the uranium industry that business as usual is not acceptable. 

“Uranium companies – and not taxpayers or communities – should be on the hook for cleaning-up the toxic, radioactive pollution created at processing facilities.

“This legislation is an important step to help protect Colorado’s air and water from toxic, radioactive uranium pollution.”

Additional information:

Click here for a fact sheet additional background.

The effort to pass HB 1348 is spearhead by Colorado Citizens Against ToxicWaste and Environment Colorado. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo West) and Sens. Ken Kester (R-Las Animas) and Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins).

More than 140 businesses, organizations, past and present elected officials, and newspapers support the legislation such as: Public Health Directors Association of Colorado; American Lung Association in Colorado; Colorado Building Trades & Construction Council; Independent Bankers of Colorado; Rocky Mountain Farmers Union; Colorado Environmental Coalition; Colorado Conservation Voters; Former Colorado Speaker of the House Lola Spradley (R-Beulah); Fremont County; San Miguel County; Colorado Counties, Inc.; the Denver Post; the Florence Citizen; among others.