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Trump replaces Waltz as national security adviser, Rubio takes role for now; Poll: AZ Latino voters 'discouraged' after Trump's first 100 days; AR pre-K suffers from funding gap; Judge bars deportations of Venezuelans from South TX under Alien Enemies Act; Coalition wants to end 'forced labor' in MN prisons.

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National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is leaving that job to become UN ambassador, bipartisan Arizona poll finds Latino voters dissatisfied by Trump's first 100 days, and Florida mass deportations frighten community members.

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Rural students who face hurdles going to college are getting noticed, Native Alaskans may want to live off the land but obstacles like climate change loom large, and the Cherokee language is being preserved by kids in North Carolina.

Alliance sounds alarm on new uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge

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Monday, November 11, 2024   

A Knoxville environmental group is raising concerns about a new uranium enrichment facility slated to be operated in Oak Ridge.

Unlike past sites operated by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, the 750,000 square-foot facility, creating more than 300 jobs, will be run by the private company Orano.

Tanvi Kardile, coordinator of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, said they are concerned about who will oversee safety regulations and environmental laws, as the government traditionally handled the responsibilities, including conducting environmental analyses and reports for large projects.

"How do lawsuits arise against private companies?" Kardile questioned. "There's kind of this different method of enforcement that's going to be operated and we are unsure about that, and I feel like the public should also be concerned about that, especially because all these facilities have such a direct impact on public health."

Kardile pointed out her group is already concerned with the ongoing risks tied to enriching uranium and other activities at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The uranium processing facility is estimated to cost $10.3 billion and is set to be complete in 2027. Initially, the project was expected to cost $6.5 billion and finish by 2025.

Kardile highlighted uranium poses significant radiation risks, and with multiple projects in Oak Ridge involving uranium, it would exacerbate existing concerns. Additionally, she noted besides the health risks, there is a substantial taxpayer burden with this new project.

"Taxpayer dollars has always been a big concern with all these projects," Kardile stressed. "This one is one of the biggest investments in Tennessee history, and it's a multi-billion-dollar facility, that comes with a taxpayer burden. Historically, all these nuclear sites have been delayed. Then comes cost overruns."

Kardile emphasized the importance of Tennesseans collaborating with lawmakers to find the best path to allocate their tax dollars and protect public health.

Disclosure: The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance contributes to our fund for reporting on Environment, Nuclear Waste, Peace, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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