Although Piñon Ridge would be the first new uranium mill in the U.S. in more than a quarter century, its license was granted earlier this year without a contested hearing, adequate public input, or a sufficient bond requirement by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The first opposition to that licensing came from Sheep Mountain Alliance, a conservation group based in Telluride, Colo. Now, the Towns of Telluride and Ophir are joining the challenge to the licensing of Piñon Ridge, and Public Justice is representing them. We just filed a motion to intervene on the towns’ behalf on Monday.
Critics note the potential dangers from milling uranium, the primary fuel for nuclear energy — namely, toxic and radioactive air and water contamination that could spread hundreds of miles. In our motion to intervene, we contend that the agency that approved the license gave neither the towns nor the public a meaningful role in the process, as required by state and federal law, even though the mill could seriously impact many local Coloradans.
Public Justice’s Power-Cotchett Attorney Richard Webster and Kazan-Budd Attorney Matthew Wessler are working with Town of Telluride Attorney Kevin Geiger on this important case.
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