General Electric and United Nuclear to Pay $63M to Clean Up Uranium Mine Waste

General Electric and United Nuclear have agreed to a $63 million consent decree to clean up uranium mine waste at sites in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. The cleanup, expected to take over a decade, involves excavating and removing approximately one million cubic yards of waste. The agreement comes after two decades of coordination with various government agencies and stakeholders.

General Electric (GE) and United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) have agreed to a $63 million consent decree to clean up uranium mine waste at sites in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. The cleanup, expected to take over a decade, involves excavating and removing approximately one million cubic yards of waste. The agreement comes after two decades of coordination with various government agencies and stakeholders [1].

The Northeast Church Rock Mine operated from 1967 to 1982, leaving behind uranium mine waste piles and other contaminated areas. The UNC Mill site, a former uranium mill, operated from 1977 to 1982 and generated mill tailings containing radionuclides and other hazardous substances. The cleanup is expected to cost nearly $63 million and is overseen by the United States, Navajo Nation, and the State of New Mexico [1].

The agreement requires UNC and GE to transfer the contaminated waste from the Northeast Church Rock Superfund Site to the UNC Mill Site. This transfer aims to improve the cover and enhance erosion controls at the Mill site, reducing the risk of hazardous substance releases to the air, surrounding soils, sediments, surface water, and groundwater [1].

The consent decree is a significant step in addressing the environmental impacts of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. It reflects a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Navajo Nation, state of New Mexico, and the companies involved. The agreement ensures that the companies responsible for the contamination will bear the cost of cleanup, not the community [1].

The cleanup is part of a broader EPA effort to address impacts from uranium contamination at 523 abandoned uranium mines on or near Navajo land. This includes the assessment and cleanup of abandoned uranium mines, consultation with Navajo elected officials, and gathering input from affected communities throughout the cleanup process [1].

The proposed consent decree was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico and is subject to a public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website [1].

References:
[1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-nuclear-corporation-and-general-electric-perform-63m-cleanup-uranium-mine-waste