A group of six Democrats is criticizing the Energy Department’s proposed uranium reserve that could feed U.S. nuclear fuel and boost American mining.
The Biden administration has argued that creating a uranium reserve could bolster its clean energy goals since nuclear energy doesn’t have any emissions. But in their Wednesday letter, the lawmakers warn of potentially adverse impacts on nearby communities and say there’s not a need to increase U.S. extraction.
“The establishment of a government-funded uranium reserve poses a serious threat to the health of Tribal and environmental justice communities, as well as to the overall environment,” said the letter, which was led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)...