How rising nuclear power interest threatens Phoenix’s strained water supply
Experts warn of potential radioactive contamination risks to Valley water sources
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The mountains east of Roosevelt Lake, known as the Sierra Anchas, are home to more than one dozen uranium mines, which operated in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, those mines are dormant. Some have entrances that are wide open. Others are boarded shut. But there are still remnants of their radioactive past. Forest Service signs warn visitors not to camp overnight because of low levels of radiation remaining in the rock, soil, and water.
At some point in the not so distant future, miners may return to some of those pits and caves or drill new ones, as nuclear energy experiences a revival in the United States.
“We think it’s really critical and exciting,” said Bobby Olsen, who is the associate general manager sustainability executive at SRP.
Olsen is referring to plans by state electric utility providers SRP, APS, and Tucson Electric Power to build Arizona’s second nuclear reactor. The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, located west of Buckeye, has been in operation for the past four decades.
However, the state’s increasing population and increasing appetite for electricity have led the three power companies to combine resources and look at the possibility of building a new nuclear plant.
At some point in the not-so-distant future, miners may return to some of those pits and caves or drill new ones as nuclear energy experiences a revival in the United States. “If we start today from a planning perspective, we might be able to have nuclear in the plan by the late 30’s, early 40’s,” said Olsen.
Nuclear power plants are fueled by uranium 235. It’s a radioactive element found in only about a dozen US states. Arizona is one of those states. But most uranium used in the US comes from countries like Canada and Russia.
VIDEO VAULT: Toxic Mines In Arizona (Oct. 6, 2015)
In 2024, Congress passed a bill that bans most uranium imports from Russia in an effort to jump-start the domestic uranium mining industry.
Arizona has one operating uranium mine. It’s near the Grand Canyon and has been the target of criticism from environmentalists and the Native American community. They argue that the mine is located too close to the Colorado River, and they worry about water contamination.
Many water sources on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona remain polluted from uranium mining activity in that region.
“The track record for this industry is abysmal,” said Taylor McKinnon, who is the southwest director of the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity. He argues that restarting uranium mining, especially near drinking water sources, is a bad idea.
The uranium mining industry promotes safe and environmentally friendly modern mining techniques. But not everyone sees it that way.
“No, we should not believe them. Because it’s not safe for the environment,” said McKinnon.
As co-investors in Arizona’s new nuclear power plant, SRP is in an unusual situation. Because the company is also the custodian of the reservoirs on the Salt River – including Roosevelt Lake.
SRP officials sent a statement to Arizona’s Family Investigates, saying, “We are not aware of any plans to perform exploratory or production uranium mining on any lands in the Sierra Ancha Mountains. If any such plans develop, SRP would be very interested in ensuring that the activities do not compromise the water quality of the water resources in the area.”
However, our investigation found a mining company purchased old mining claims in the Sierra Ancha Mountains in 2011. Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) owns 198 mining claims in the area. In 2022, the company published an initial assessment that recommended moving forward on drilling and testing the claims.
In SEC filings, UEC stated any additional activity “will be dependent on and may change as a result of our financial position, the market price of uranium, and other conditions.”
An official from UEC told Arizona’s Family Investigates, “We do not have any current exploration or development plans for that region. As with all mineral claims, any future exploration activity would be subject to market conditions, regulatory approvals, and environmental considerations.”
Whether the increased interest in nuclear power and the law that bans Russian uranium imports result in mining in the Sierra Ancha Mountains remains an open question. But the fact that it is a possibility is not good news to environmentalists.
“Uranium in Phoenix’s watershed, I think, would be pretty unpopular for most people in the greater Phoenix metro region,” said McKinnon.
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