Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Uranium Notes

The National Enrichment Facility, now under construction east of Eunice by Louisiana Energy Services, offers the model for redevelopment of the uranium industry in New Mexico, Juan Velasquez of Strathmore Resources Ltd. told the New Mexico Mining Association yesterday. Velasquez spoke as Strathmore announced a joint venture with Nu-Mex Uranium Corp. to explore and develop Strathmore's Nose Rock properties northeast of Crownpoint in the Grants mineral belt. The agreement calls for $44.5 million in work commitment expenditures on the 5,000 acres.
Louisiana Energy Services worked closely with people in the Eunice area, Velasquez said. "They developed credibility," he said. "Grassroots support is crucial to our success. Stakeholder involvement is a must." Communication must come ealy and often.
The regulatory situation is quite different from the 1970s, Velasquez said. Then permit requirements were minimal. Now permits are required for even the slight impact work of gathering data.
As the association met, NRG Energy Inc. of New Jersey filed the first two of what is an expect "flood" of applications for new nuclear reactors, the Wall Street Journal reported. NRG wants to add two units to its existing station near Bay City, Texas.
State Sen. David Ulibarri of Grants participated in two panels at the association meeting.

No comments: