Warns Department Not to Shift Jobs from Wyoming to Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) criticized the Department of Energy’s (DOE) management of its excess uranium stockpiles.  He noted that DOE’s policy of forcing too much of its uranium stockpile into the market will artificially drive down uranium prices, undercutting domestic uranium mining and hurting jobs in Wyoming. 

“There is a lot at stake for Wyoming jobs and the uranium industry’s investment in Wyoming.  The Department’s short-sighted proposal promises temporary jobs in Ohio at the expense of long-term jobs in Wyoming,” said Barrasso.  “It’s a political calculation that lacks common sense.  In developing the plan, the Department ignored its own uranium management guidelines.  They need to go back to the drawing board and find a proposal that creates jobs in both Ohio and Wyoming.”  

Barrasso highlighted the negative impact DOE’s plans will have on Wyoming if it transfers $150-$200 million worth of excess government uranium to the U.S. Enrichment Corporation over the next year.

Background:

The uranium stockpile will be sold to pay for additional environmental cleanup at the Portsmouth Facility in Piketon, Ohio.  DOE has proposed additional uranium transfers of similar value to follow in 2011, 2012, and 2013.