Latest news with #Moab
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go
A panoramic image of the Milky Way over the fromations of the Garden of Eden in Arches National ... More Park, Moab, Utah. (Photo by: Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) When and where is the best place to see the Milky Way? The bright core of the Milky Way — the biggest and best sight at night — becomes visible in June in the Northern Hemisphere. Since it rises right after dark, NASA is advising people to get away from light pollution to see it arc across the night sky. When To See The Milky Way In 2025 The Milky Way is visible from the Northern Hemisphere all year, but its bright core only emerges in the southern sky after dark in late May and June. This bright core — the center of the galaxy — is the brightest and most impressive part of the Milky Way. It's home to many nebulae and star clusters that look fabulous in binoculars. The season to see the core is generally June through September from north of the equator. That's when the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius peek above the southern horizon, with the arc of the galaxy seen flowing into them from the Summer Triangle high in the southeast. With the solstice on June 20 this year, regions above about 50 degrees north — such as Canada and the U.K. — experience no absolute darkness, making July a better time to see the Milky Way. However, from anywhere south of that cut-off, such as the U.S. and Europe, late June is a great time to see it. However, whether you'll be able to see it at all is down to light pollution. the milky way over the grand canyon from the north rim Where To See The Milky Way In 2025 The collective brightness of up to 400 billion stars may seem easy to see, but the wonderous sight is blotted out by light pollution. The night sky's brightness increased by between 7% and 10% per year between 2011 and 2022, according to a study published in 2023. Hence this advice from NASA about seeing the Milky Way's core. "It is best observed from dark sky locations far from bright city lights and appears as a faint, cloud-like band arching across the sky toward the south," says Preston Dyches, Public engagement specialist at NASA, in a post. Imaging the Milky Way with a camera (or a newer smartphone, if it has "Night Mode") is a great way of seeing more. "Long-exposure photos make the Milky Way's bright stars and dark dust clouds even clearer," says Dyches. "However you observe it, getting out under the Milky Way in June is a truly remarkable way to connect with the cosmos." The Milky Way galaxy sets over Fajada Mesa at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Best Places To See The Milky Way In June 2025 Dark rural skies are what you need, which you can find with the help of a light pollution map or by visiting a Dark Sky Place. Here are some of the best places to go in the U.S. and southern Europe: 1. Cherry Springs State Park International Dark Sky Park, Pennsylvania 2. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Maine 3. Gower National Landscape International Dark Sky Community, Wales 4. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park International Dark Sky Park, Florida 5. Fremont Indian State Park International Dark Sky Park, Utah 6. Morvan Regional Park International Dark Sky Reserve, Saint-Brisson, France 7. Grand Canyon National Park International Dark Sky Park, Arizona 8. Medicine Rocks State Park International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Montana 9. Middle Fork River Forest Preserve International Dark Sky Park, Illinois 10. Chaco Culture National Historical Park International Dark Sky Park, New Mexico 11. Great Basin National Park International Dark Sky Park, California/Nevada 12. Anholt Island International Dark Sky Park, Anholt, Denmark 13. Devils River State Natural Area — Del Norte Unit International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Texas 14. Geauga Observatory Park International Dark Sky Park, Ohio 15. Obed Wild and Scenic River International Dark Sky Park, Tennessee Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Auto Blog
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
This Customized GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X is the Epitome of Overland Capability
This upfitted GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X is an overlanding beast, but can you live with it as a daily driver too? A machine that's truly ready for anything Last year, I drove a GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X all over the trails of Moab, Utah, so I can attest that taking any heavy-duty pickup truck off-road is a bit of an event. The sheer size and weight of the vehicle make for challenges in places where Jeeps would skamper through. Still, I was truly impressed with its off-road capability and comfort, and pondered the potential for a truck like this becoming a serious overlander. 0:09 / 0:09 Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? These 5 rivals might change your mind Watch More GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X There are different definitions as to what overlanding actually is. Initially, the idea was to cross terrain and spend time in remote locations while being entirely self-reliant. It's like camping, serious off-roading, and living off the grid all in one. Additionally, the rig needed has to be capable of long-range driving, off-road toughness, and serve as a base for your remote adventure. The powertrain is a big bonus Having a diesel helps, but longer ranges and the ability to tow more are big bonuses, and the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X Ultimate Overland Build comes with a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel that makes a massive 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque. It's equipped with a 10-speed Allison transmission, and given its 38-gallon fuel tank, it's estimated to have a range of approximately 500 miles, depending on the terrain. The standard AT4X's tow rating is around 18,000 lbs, which is more than adequate for a larger off-road trailer. Payload sits at about 2,600 lbs, but given the slide-in camper, extra overlanding components, and gear, it's significantly less in this build. The 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X offers 120-volt power outlets with a capacity of 400 watts on the instrument panel and inside the cargo bed. Being that it's a diesel pickup (a less powerful gas engine is available), it can chug along idling all day, serving as a generator as needed, without burning too much fuel. Additionally, from the cockpit, the Duramax is one of the quietest diesels I've ever tested. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The 'Ultimate Overland Build' Starting with the 2025 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4X, which already has a beefed-up suspension, rear locker, and a ton of armor, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) in Michigan added the following to the build: ● AEV Salta XD Wheels paired with 37' BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires ● AEV 37' Tire Clearance Kit ● ComeUp SOLO 12.5rs winch, co-developed with GM ● AEV Snorkel for cleaner, cooler airflow ● AEV Front Bumper Light Bar (prototype) with Vision X Explora off-road lights ● AEV Paint Appearance Package ● Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust for increased efficiency ● Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Pro suspension kit for camper-readiness The OEV Back Country slide-in truck camper, which offers four-season capability and R8 insulated composite walls, has its own off-grid system that includes: ● 220W solar panel and 270Ah lithium battery ● Truma heating/hot water system ● Xantrex inverter, Isotherm fridge, and 20-gallon water tank ● Alu-Cab 270 awning, shower cube, and premium storage solutions The build was then brought to Tiny Rig Co. in Westminster, CA, who wired auxiliary lighting and installed a Switch-Pros SP9000 system. Other accessories include: Switch-Pros SP9000 system Tackform TRAXX system for in-dash device mounting ONWRD Supply Co. seat back organizers Viair portable compressor and Rig Ready Systems Jackout HD kit Redzone Wireless internet and Zoleo Satellite Communicator for global connectivity onX Offroad and a Midland CB radio Opinel USA Forrest Tool Company Tool Kit Lavabox Portable Campfire GMC Sierra 2500 AT4X Overland Build Driving this beast is easier than you think Amid the typical L.A. traffic, the ride was remarkably serene. That air suspension was dialed in to the point where the vehicle was luxury-car smooth on many surfaces. Throttle response is surprisingly quick for something that weighs as much as a Sherman Tank, and it handles its girth with ease around corners. I took it deep into the mountains around Rancho Palos Verdes, and along several back highways. Stopping at various ocean overlooks, I was able to spend time enjoying the overall comfort of the vehicle. In recent days, I've driven a few 1500 pickup trucks that are lighter and smaller, yet they didn't feel that much smaller in traffic. Honestly, only two issues were noticeable to me behind the wheel. The digital rear-view camera wasn't relocated, and there was some hesitation in the steering. I suspect the steering system is heavily taxed moving such heavy rubber, and it was a bit slow to swing side to side. Otherwise, the truck was a joy to drive and made most other trucks look puny to me, in more ways than one. Final thoughts I know I didn't deep dive into the convenience of the slide-in, pop-up camper. There's enough room for three to sleep, as long as two of the sleepers don't mind sharing a queen-size mattress. Otherwise, there's a good-sized fridge, sink, stove, and provisions for plenty of dry-good storage. The external shower can double as a good location for a porta-potty, and there's a shade that extends around a majority of the living quarters. Weekend camping should be a snap, and serious overlanding is something this rig was built for. I'm sure the price tag for a build like this could easily exceed $250,000. I'm guesstimating that the truck's cost (about $96,000) and the slide-in camper (about $50,000) are the most expensive major bits. Still, it's all the smaller components and the labor required to install everything that adds a ton to the build. Lighting, solar, showers, awning, air suspension, winch – the list of addons goes on and on. As such, adding $100,000 to the price is what got my estimate to $250,000. Even then, I might be undercutting the total by a bit. If all of this sounds like the build for you, you might be in luck. The 'Ultimate Overland Vehicle Build' will be auctioned off on Bring a Trailer in November, with all proceeds benefiting the Overland Expo Foundation. If you're drooling at the thought of owning this AND you want to help out a great cause, we'd keep an eye on the Overland Expo Foundation Facebook page.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump fast-tracks Utah uranium mine, but industry revival may wait for higher prices
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — In the southeastern Utah desert famous for red rock arches and canyon labyrinths, the long-dormant uranium mining industry is looking to revive under President Donald Trump. Hundreds of abandoned uranium mines dot the West's arid landscapes, hazardous reminders of the promise and peril of nuclear power during the Cold War. Now, one mine that the Trump administration fast-tracked for regulatory approval could reopen for the first time since the 1980s. Normally it would have taken months, if not years, for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to review plans to reopen a project like Anfield Energy's Velvet-Wood mine 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Moab. But the bureau's regulators green-lit the project in just 11 days under a 'national energy emergency' Trump has declared that allows expedited environmental reviews for energy projects. More permits and approvals will be needed, plus site work to get the mine operating again. And the price of uranium would have to rise enough to make domestic production financially sustainable. If that happens, it would mean revival — and jobs — to an industry that locally has been moribund since the Ronald Reagan era. 'President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in announcing the fast-tracking policy in April. 'These emergency procedures reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting both.' More fast approvals appear likely. Trump's order also applies to oil, gas, coal, biofuel and hydropower projects — but not renewable energy — on federal lands. Conditions are ripe for more U.S. uranium mining Global uranium prices are double what they were at a low point seven years ago and, for the past year, the U.S. has banned uranium imports from Russia due to that country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. More domestic mining would address a major imbalance. The U.S. imports about 98% of the uranium it uses to generate 30% of the world's nuclear energy. More than two-thirds of U.S. imports come from the world's top three uranium-mining countries: Canada, Australia and Kazakhstan. Less government regulation won't spur more U.S. uranium mining by itself. The market matters. And while spot-market prices are up from several years ago, they're down about a third from their recent high in early 2024. While some new uranium mining and processing projects have been announced, their number falls far short of a surge. That suggests prices need to rise — and stay there — for a true industry revival, said John Uhrie, a former uranium executive who now works in the cement industry. 'Until the price goes up dramatically, you're not going to be able to actually put these places into operation,' Uhrie said. 'You need significant capital on the ground.' Still, the industry is showing new life in the Southwest. Anfield Energy, a Canadian company, also looks to reopen the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in southern Utah near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It closed in the early 1980s. A uranium mill turns raw ore into yellowcake, a powdery substance later processed elsewhere into nuclear fuel. Anfield officials did not return messages seeking comment on plans to reopen the mill and the Velvet-Wood mine. Energy Fuels, another Canadian company which ranks as the top U.S. uranium miner, opened the Pinyon Plain mine about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon in late 2023. And just off U.S. 191 in southeastern Utah is a hub of the industry, Uranium Fuels' White Mesa mill, the country's only uranium mill still in operation. In Moab, uranium has a long — and mixed — legacy These days, Moab is a desert tourism hot spot bustling with outdoor enthusiasts. But the town of 5,200 has a deeper history with uranium. Nods to Moab's post-World War II mining heyday can been spotted around town — the Atomic Hair Salon isn't just named for its blowout hairstyles. The biggest reminder is the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project, a 480-acre (194-hectare) site just outside town. The decades-long, $1 billion U.S. Department of Energy effort to haul off toxic tailings that were leaching into the Colorado River upstream from the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead should wrap up within five more years. That mill's polluting legacy makes some Moab residents wary of restarting uranium mining and processing, especially after the Trump administration cut short their ability to weigh in on the Velvet-Wood mine plans. 'This was a process I would have been involved in,' said Sarah Fields, director of the local group Uranium Watch. 'They provided no opportunity for the public to say, 'You need to look at this, you need to look at that.'" Grand Canyon Trust, a group critical of the Pinyon Plain mine as a danger to groundwater, points out that the U.S. nuclear industry isn't at risk of losing access to uranium. 'This is all being done under the assumption there is some energy emergency and that is just not true,' said Amber Reimondo, the group's energy director. Supply and demand will decide uranium mining's future Hundreds of miles to the north, other nuclear energy projects point to the U.S. industry's future. With Bill Gates' support, TerraPower is building a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor outside Kemmerer in western Wyoming that could, in theory, meet demand for carbon-free power at lower costs and with less construction time than conventional reactor units. Meanwhile, about 40% of uranium mined in the U.S. in 2024 came from four Wyoming 'in-situ' mines that use wells to dissolve uranium in underground deposits and pump it to the surface without having to dig big holes or send miners underground. Similar mines in Texas and Nebraska and stockpiled ore processed at White Mesa accounted for the rest. None — as yet — came from mines in Utah. Powering electric cars and computing technology will require more electricity in the years ahead. Nuclear power offers a zero-carbon, round-the-clock option. Meeting the demand for nuclear fuel domestically is another matter. With prices higher, almost 700,000 pounds of yellowcake was produced in the U.S. in 2024 — up more than a dozen-fold from the year before but still far short of the 32 million pounds imported into the U.S. Even if mining increases, it's not clear that U.S. capacity to turn the ore into fuel would keep pace, said Uhrie, the former uranium mining executive. "Re-establishing a viable uranium industry from soup to nuts — meaning from mining through processing to yellow cake production, to conversion, to enrichment to produce nuclear fuel — remains a huge lift," Uhrie said. ___ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mead Gruver And Hannah Schoenbaum, The Associated Press
The Independent
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump fast-tracks Utah uranium mine, but industry revival may wait for higher prices
In the southeastern Utah desert famous for red rock arches and canyon labyrinths, the long-dormant uranium mining industry is looking to revive under President Donald Trump. Hundreds of abandoned uranium mines dot the West's arid landscapes, hazardous reminders of the promise and peril of nuclear power during the Cold War. Now, one mine that the Trump administration fast-tracked for regulatory approval could reopen for the first time since the 1980s. Normally it would have taken months, if not years, for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to review plans to reopen a project like Anfield Energy's Velvet-Wood mine 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Moab. But the bureau's regulators green-lit the project in just 11 days under a 'national energy emergency' Trump has declared that allows expedited environmental reviews for energy projects. More permits and approvals will be needed, plus site work to get the mine operating again. And the price of uranium would have to rise enough to make domestic production financially sustainable. If that happens, it would mean revival — and jobs — to an industry that locally has been moribund since the Ronald Reagan era. 'President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in announcing the fast-tracking policy in April. 'These emergency procedures reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting both.' More fast approvals appear likely. Trump's order also applies to oil, gas, coal, biofuel and hydropower projects — but not renewable energy — on federal lands. Conditions are ripe for more U.S. uranium mining Global uranium prices are double what they were at a low point seven years ago and, for the past year, the U.S. has banned uranium imports from Russia due to that country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. More domestic mining would address a major imbalance. The U.S. imports about 98% of the uranium it uses to generate 30% of the world's nuclear energy. More than two-thirds of U.S. imports come from the world's top three uranium-mining countries: Canada, Australia and Kazakhstan. Less government regulation won't spur more U.S. uranium mining by itself. The market matters. And while spot-market prices are up from several years ago, they're down about a third from their recent high in early 2024. While some new uranium mining and processing projects have been announced, their number falls far short of a surge. That suggests prices need to rise — and stay there — for a true industry revival, said John Uhrie, a former uranium executive who now works in the cement industry. 'Until the price goes up dramatically, you're not going to be able to actually put these places into operation,' Uhrie said. 'You need significant capital on the ground.' Still, the industry is showing new life in the Southwest. Anfield Energy, a Canadian company, also looks to reopen the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in southern Utah near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It closed in the early 1980s. A uranium mill turns raw ore into yellowcake, a powdery substance later processed elsewhere into nuclear fuel. Anfield officials did not return messages seeking comment on plans to reopen the mill and the Velvet-Wood mine. Energy Fuels, another Canadian company which ranks as the top U.S. uranium miner, opened the Pinyon Plain mine about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon in late 2023. And just off U.S. 191 in southeastern Utah is a hub of the industry, Uranium Fuels' White Mesa mill, the country's only uranium mill still in operation. In Moab, uranium has a long — and mixed — legacy These days, Moab is a desert tourism hot spot bustling with outdoor enthusiasts. But the town of 5,200 has a deeper history with uranium. Nods to Moab's post-World War II mining heyday can been spotted around town — the Atomic Hair Salon isn't just named for its blowout hairstyles. The biggest reminder is the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project, a 480-acre (194-hectare) site just outside town. The decades-long, $1 billion U.S. Department of Energy effort to haul off toxic tailings that were leaching into the Colorado River upstream from the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead should wrap up within five more years. That mill's polluting legacy makes some Moab residents wary of restarting uranium mining and processing, especially after the Trump administration cut short their ability to weigh in on the Velvet-Wood mine plans. 'This was a process I would have been involved in,' said Sarah Fields, director of the local group Uranium Watch. 'They provided no opportunity for the public to say, 'You need to look at this, you need to look at that.'" Grand Canyon Trust, a group critical of the Pinyon Plain mine as a danger to groundwater, points out that the U.S. nuclear industry isn't at risk of losing access to uranium. 'This is all being done under the assumption there is some energy emergency and that is just not true,' said Amber Reimondo, the group's energy director. Supply and demand will decide uranium mining's future Hundreds of miles to the north, other nuclear energy projects point to the U.S. industry's future. With Bill Gates' support, TerraPower is building a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor outside Kemmerer in western Wyoming that could, in theory, meet demand for carbon-free power at lower costs and with less construction time than conventional reactor units. Meanwhile, about 40% of uranium mined in the U.S. in 2024 came from four Wyoming 'in-situ' mines that use wells to dissolve uranium in underground deposits and pump it to the surface without having to dig big holes or send miners underground. Similar mines in Texas and Nebraska and stockpiled ore processed at White Mesa accounted for the rest. None — as yet — came from mines in Utah. Powering electric cars and computing technology will require more electricity in the years ahead. Nuclear power offers a zero-carbon, round-the-clock option. Meeting the demand for nuclear fuel domestically is another matter. With prices higher, almost 700,000 pounds of yellowcake was produced in the U.S. in 2024 — up more than a dozen-fold from the year before but still far short of the 32 million pounds imported into the U.S. Even if mining increases, it's not clear that U.S. capacity to turn the ore into fuel would keep pace, said Uhrie, the former uranium mining executive. "Re-establishing a viable uranium industry from soup to nuts — meaning from mining through processing to yellow cake production, to conversion, to enrichment to produce nuclear fuel — remains a huge lift," Uhrie said. ___
Associated Press
31-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Trump fast-tracks Utah uranium mine, but industry revival may wait for higher prices
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — In the southeastern Utah desert famous for red rock arches and canyon labyrinths, the long-dormant uranium mining industry is looking to revive under President Donald Trump. Hundreds of abandoned uranium mines dot the West's arid landscapes, hazardous reminders of the promise and peril of nuclear power during the Cold War. Now, one mine that the Trump administration fast-tracked for regulatory approval could reopen for the first time since the 1980s. Normally it would have taken months, if not years, for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to review plans to reopen a project like Anfield Energy's Velvet-Wood mine 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Moab. But the bureau's regulators green-lit the project in just 11 days under a 'national energy emergency' Trump has declared that allows expedited environmental reviews for energy projects. More permits and approvals will be needed, plus site work to get the mine operating again. And the price of uranium would have to rise enough to make domestic production financially sustainable. If that happens, it would mean revival — and jobs — to an industry that locally has been moribund since the Ronald Reagan era. 'President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security,' Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in announcing the fast-tracking policy in April. 'These emergency procedures reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting both.' More fast approvals appear likely. Trump's order also applies to oil, gas, coal, biofuel and hydropower projects — but not renewable energy — on federal lands. Conditions are ripe for more U.S. uranium mining Global uranium prices are double what they were at a low point seven years ago and, for the past year, the U.S. has banned uranium imports from Russia due to that country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. More domestic mining would address a major imbalance. The U.S. imports about 98% of the uranium it uses to generate 30% of the world's nuclear energy. More than two-thirds of U.S. imports come from the world's top three uranium-mining countries: Canada, Australia and Kazakhstan. Less government regulation won't spur more U.S. uranium mining by itself. The market matters. And while spot-market prices are up from several years ago, they're down about a third from their recent high in early 2024. While some new uranium mining and processing projects have been announced, their number falls far short of a surge. That suggests prices need to rise — and stay there — for a true industry revival, said John Uhrie, a former uranium executive who now works in the cement industry. 'Until the price goes up dramatically, you're not going to be able to actually put these places into operation,' Uhrie said. 'You need significant capital on the ground.' Still, the industry is showing new life in the Southwest. Anfield Energy, a Canadian company, also looks to reopen the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in southern Utah near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It closed in the early 1980s. A uranium mill turns raw ore into yellowcake, a powdery substance later processed elsewhere into nuclear fuel. Anfield officials did not return messages seeking comment on plans to reopen the mill and the Velvet-Wood mine. Energy Fuels, another Canadian company which ranks as the top U.S. uranium miner, opened the Pinyon Plain mine about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon in late 2023. And just off U.S. 191 in southeastern Utah is a hub of the industry, Uranium Fuels' White Mesa mill, the country's only uranium mill still in operation. In Moab, uranium has a long — and mixed — legacyThese days, Moab is a desert tourism hot spot bustling with outdoor enthusiasts. But the town of 5,200 has a deeper history with uranium. Nods to Moab's post-World War II mining heyday can been spotted around town — the Atomic Hair Salon isn't just named for its blowout hairstyles. The biggest reminder is the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action project, a 480-acre (194-hectare) site just outside town. The decades-long, $1 billion U.S. Department of Energy effort to haul off toxic tailings that were leaching into the Colorado River upstream from the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead should wrap up within five more years. That mill's polluting legacy makes some Moab residents wary of restarting uranium mining and processing, especially after the Trump administration cut short their ability to weigh in on the Velvet-Wood mine plans. 'This was a process I would have been involved in,' said Sarah Fields, director of the local group Uranium Watch. 'They provided no opportunity for the public to say, 'You need to look at this, you need to look at that.'' Grand Canyon Trust, a group critical of the Pinyon Plain mine as a danger to groundwater, points out that the U.S. nuclear industry isn't at risk of losing access to uranium. 'This is all being done under the assumption there is some energy emergency and that is just not true,' said Amber Reimondo, the group's energy director. Supply and demand will decide uranium mining's futureHundreds of miles to the north, other nuclear energy projects point to the U.S. industry's future. With Bill Gates' support, TerraPower is building a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor outside Kemmerer in western Wyoming that could, in theory, meet demand for carbon-free power at lower costs and with less construction time than conventional reactor units. Meanwhile, about 40% of uranium mined in the U.S. in 2024 came from four Wyoming 'in-situ' mines that use wells to dissolve uranium in underground deposits and pump it to the surface without having to dig big holes or send miners underground. Similar mines in Texas and Nebraska and stockpiled ore processed at White Mesa accounted for the rest. None — as yet — came from mines in Utah. Powering electric cars and computing technology will require more electricity in the years ahead. Nuclear power offers a zero-carbon, round-the-clock option. Meeting the demand for nuclear fuel domestically is another matter. With prices higher, almost 700,000 pounds of yellowcake was produced in the U.S. in 2024 — up more than a dozen-fold from the year before but still far short of the 32 million pounds imported into the U.S. Even if mining increases, it's not clear that U.S. capacity to turn the ore into fuel would keep pace, said Uhrie, the former uranium mining executive. 'Re-establishing a viable uranium industry from soup to nuts — meaning from mining through processing to yellow cake production, to conversion, to enrichment to produce nuclear fuel — remains a huge lift,' Uhrie said. ___ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
