Coyote Gulch

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Energy policy: Oil and gas

Stewart Udall (via High Country News): "Oil lies at the epicenter of a critical energy crisis. Petroleum is a finite resource and is the most precious, versatile resource on the planet. Cheap oil played a crucial role in the development of American power and prosperity, and sustains the military machine that dominates the world today. Oil is now nearing a historic transition that will alter the civilization Americans have come to take for granted.

"As world oil production reaches its apex and begins its inevitable decline, it will have a radical impact on everyday American life. It will take bold political leadership and awareness on the part of individual citizens to craft a full-scale, creative response. I watched with admiration in 1974 as my friend, President Gerald Ford, persuaded Congress to adopt a 55 mph speed limit to reduce our reliance on imported oil. He also got a law passed which mandated production of more fuel-efficient automobiles."
"cc"
9:21:39 AM

Energy policy: Nuclear

From The Montrose Daily Press: "Although Energy Fuels Resources Corporation is dozens of approvals away from getting the green light on its Pinon Ridge uranium mill, a bond the state would require of the project is being debated. This financial surety is money made available to the state by the company for decommissioning operations, including waste clean-up. The bond was referred to at recent open houses as a way of addressing public and environmental health concerns. It was also criticized by those who say such bonds fall short of true clean-up costs. As part of its licensing application, Energy Fuels must come up with an amount, a financial assurance or a surety, it estimates would cover the cost of decommissioning its facility, said Steve Tarlton, unit leader, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Radiation Management Unit."

More from the article:

The estimated amount would include costs of site monitoring, operation shutdown, decommissioning contracts and legal expenses. The Cotter uranium processing mill within Fremont County has two warranties with the state: one related to its Superfund issues is about $6 million; another warranty for mill operations is around $14 to $15 million. Before a company receives a license, it is required to provide financial insurance. Regardless of the method, all the money must be directly available to the state, and the amount cannot change without state approval, Tarlton said. Public hearings are held as part of the licensing application review. Once a license is issued, all items in the financial assurance are annually evaluated and modified, he said. "We might adjust the amount up or down based on what's happened at the facility during that year," Tarlton said. For example, Energy Fuels is proposing to build several enclosures for storing radioactive waste produced by the mill. The act of closing these cells, if approved by the state, could reduce the company's financial warranty "because a potential problem has been eliminated," he said. "We try very hard to keep those financial sureties amount current throughout the life of the license."

The formal review process does not start until the company submits its application, which it has publicly stated it plans to do at the beginning of next year, Tarlton said. DPHE has a little less than 15 months to review the application and make a decision on it. This timeframe cannot be delayed.

More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here.
"2008 pres"
7:40:50 AM