Uranium power: the antithesis of energy independence

Given breaking developments in Kazakhstan and Niger, leading uranium exporting countries, it's increasingly clear that nuclear power represents the antithesis of energy independence for the U.S. and Europe. On the heels of President Obama’s announcement to increase the United States’ reliance upon nuclear energy as part of his plan for energy independence, the Washington Post published its story on the growing political instability and corruption mushrooming in Kazakhstan, already ravaged by Soviet atom bomb testing, and one of the world’s largest known uranium reserves, where the United States, China, Russia, Japan and Canada are among those jockeying for control of this valued and dangerous uranium ore. Meanwhile, the February 18, 2010 military coup in the sub-Saharan nation of Niger raises more questions than answers about the West African country’s future. While uranium mining makes up the bulk of Niger’s foreign income, 80% of its population lives on subsistence farming, with 60% below the poverty level amidst recurring famines. Coup leaders have made a pledge to bring democracy to the resource rich but impoverished country. (Sidi-Amar Taoua, pictured at left, a Touareg from Niger, spoke out against uranium mining in his homeland at a Beyond Nuclear sponsored appearance at the National Press Club, as well as a standing room only session at the Energy Action Coalition's 2009 PowerShift). However, international intrigue and conflicts continue to brew in Niger as Areva of France's monopoly control of uranium mining is being challenged by China. In our view, nuclear power is the antithesis of “energy independence” as claimed by the industry and its backers, including President Obama. The worsening conflicts in Kazakhstan and Niger illuminate how continued and expanded reliance on uranium power comes at the expense of future resource conflicts, environmental ruination, and economic injustice. In fact, the keys to real energy independence are found in substantially expanding energy efficiency, conservation and expanded renewable energy programs.

UN forum highlights contamination problem in Central Asia from uranium mining

A United Nations forum that examined the impacts of uranium mining contamination from tailings in Central Asia took place last June in Geneva. The uranium tailings are a legacy from the military-industrial complex of the former USSR. The state of these tailings which contain huge wastes of uranium and other technological wastes over tens of years after shutdown of these enterprises have significantly worsened, the forum found.

7th Indigenous Uranium Forum coming up in October

Please consider supporting in any way you can the 7th Indigenous Uranium Forum, October 22,23, and 24 at San Fidel (Acoma Pueblo), New Mexico. Registration is open and reasonable and can be found on the forum Web site.

July 16 marks likely worst - and most forgotten - US nuclear accident

On July 16, 1979, just 14 weeks after the Three Mile Island reactor accident, and just 34 years to the day after the Trinity atomic test, the small community of Church Rock, New Mexico, became the scene of another nuclear tragedy.

Ninety million gallons of liquid radioactive waste, and eleven hundred tons of solid mill wastes, burst through a broken dam wall at the Church Rock uranium mill facility, creating a flood of deadly effluents that permanently contaminated the Rio Puerco river. For more on the disaster at Church Rock and the implications today, read Linda Gunter's essay. For more details, see Killing our Own and Southwest Research and Information Center.

Beyond Nuclear launches The Thunderbird newsletter

The Thunderbird is Beyond Nuclear's quarterly newsletter. The spring 2009 issue focuses on nuclear power, uranium mining and human rights. The summer 2009 issue focuses on a comparison between renewable energy and nuclear power. Stories include the Areva human rights record; Arctic caribou threatened by uranium mines; the French nuclear mess and more. See also the special Thunderbird page.