Latest news with #SanJuanCounty
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gas prices drop slightly in Adams Co., WA and nationally
Jun. 2—MOSES LAKE — Gas prices this week saw a slight decline in Adams County, Washington and nationally compared to last week, according to AAA. However, in Grant County, there was a two-cent increase on average. Grant County gas prices have been steadily increasing for the past month from $4.28 on May 12 to $4.36 on June 2. There has been around a two to four cent increase every week for the last four weeks, according to AAA. Adams County saw a slight decrease in average gas prices, with a one-cent drop this week at $4.31. One month ago, May 12, gas in Adams County was around $4.20. Both Grant and Adams County remain in the middle of gas prices across the state, according to AAA. San Juan County is the most expensive in the state at $5.47, a 12-cent increase from last week. Asotin County remained the cheapest at $3.70, an 11-cent decrease from last week. Washington state saw its first decrease in gas prices after a little over a month. The average is sitting at $4.40, a two-cent decrease from last week but still five cents more expensive than two weeks ago, according to AAA. However, the current average is around 11 cents lower than a year ago, which was about $4.51. Washington remains one of the most expensive states to purchase gas, with only California at $4.78 and Hawaii at $4.48, both average price tags per gallon, having higher prices in the nation. Nationally, gas prices have dropped to around $3.14, which is about four cents cheaper than last week's average of $3.18. The current average is around four cents cheaper than a month ago, which was sitting at $3.18. Gas prices are significantly cheaper now than a year ago, when gas was sitting at around $3.54, or 40 cents more. Legislation In recent legislative developments, the Washington Legislature passed a transportation revenue package that is poised to raise the state's gasoline tax by six cents per gallon, effective July 27. The governor signed Senate Bill 5801 into law May 20. "Washingtonians expect us to deliver on our promises — to finish long-overdue projects, repair aging infrastructure, and ensure our transportation systems can support the needs of a growing state," said Senate Transportation Committee chair and bill sponsor Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) in a statement. "This is a sensible, bipartisan solution that balances multiple funding tools while keeping the system running smoothly. I'm grateful for Sen. Curtis King's partnership in crafting a revenue plan that prioritizes long-term progress for transportation systems statewide." This increase is noteworthy as it marks the first adjustment to the gas tax since 2016 and is part of a broader strategy to address escalating project costs and diminishing revenues from the gas tax due to a growing shift toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the bill report. Under the proposed plan, the gasoline tax will rise from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents per gallon, according to the bill. Following this initial increase, the tax is slated to rise by an additional 2% annually to keep pace with inflation. This legislative action comes in response to financial needs for transportation infrastructure, as lawmakers aim to generate approximately $3.2 billion over a six-year period, Liias said in a statement. "Raising fees and taxes is not something we take lightly, but we determined it was the only solution to address our state's transportation challenges," said Ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima), in a statement. Simultaneously, the diesel tax is set to increase by three cents starting at the same time, with an additional three-cent increase two years later, also accompanied by a yearly 2% rise thereafter. The anticipated revenue from this tax adjustment is expected to contribute roughly $160 million to the transportation budget over the same period. "We listened to concerns and made sure the plan is fair and practical," Liias said in a statement. "This is about making smart investments to build a transportation network that works for everyone — now and in the future."
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US approves Utah uranium mine after two-week environmental review
May 23 (Reuters) - The Trump administration approved Anfield Energy's (AEC.V), opens new tab proposed Velvet-Wood uranium mine project in Utah on Friday after a rapid 14-day environmental review as part of a new process to fast-track permitting of energy and mining projects. Such studies typically take years because of the large potential environmental consequences of uranium mining. The Canadian company's project is the first approved under an emergency process for the Interior Department to permit energy facilities on federal lands. The new procedures are in response to President Donald Trump's national energy emergency declaration, made on his first day in office in January in an effort to boost domestic energy supplies, bring down fuel prices and bolster national security. Anfield filed its plan of operations for the mine on April 1, according to documents on an Interior Department web site. "This approval marks a turning point in how we secure America's mineral future," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. "By streamlining the review process for critical mineral projects like Velvet-Wood, we're reducing dependence on foreign adversaries and ensuring our military, medical and energy sectors have the resources they need to thrive. This is mineral security in action." Anfield was not immediately available for comment. The Velvet-Wood mine project in San Juan County will produce uranium, used in both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons production, as well as vanadium, a metal than can be used in batteries or to strengthen steel and other alloys. It is located at the site of a previous mining operation.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
US takes steps to open mine that could build 1,000 nuclear bombs
By The Trump Administration is fast-tracking the reopening of a Utah mine that will ramp up production of the nation's nuclear energy and stockpile of nuclear weapons. The US Department of the Interior announced on Monday that they're speeding up the environmental review of the Velvet-Wood uranium mine to just 14 days. This type of review can often take years to complete because of the potential damage uranium mining can cause by way of water contamination, soil degradation, and air pollution. The owners of Velvet-Wood, Anfield Energy, will likely be able to begin mining operations by the beginning of 2026, once all the necessary permits are approved and workers are hired. Velvet-Wood mine closed in 1979 due to declines in uranium prices, stricter environmental regulations, and fears that nuclear power plants could melt down and cause a major disaster. The mine's previous owners produced approximately 4.2 million pounds of uranium and 4.8 million pounds of vanadium in the 1970s. Anfield Energy believes that there is still another 4.6 million pounds of uranium oxide and 47.1 million pounds of vanadium capable of being produced, based on a preliminary economic assessment. In terms of what this could mean for the US military, that much uranium could power the reactors of approximately 85 nuclear submarines and produce over 1,000 nuclear bombs. Velvet-Wood sits on a 2,425-acre property in Utah's San Juan County. Anfield Energy plans to turn the uranium into uranium concentrate - a fine yellow powder also known as uranium oxide or yellowcake. It is mildly radioactive and can be converted into fuel for nuclear power plants. Uranium concentrate also plays a role in making nuclear weapons. By chemically enriching the substance to increase the number of U-235 isotopes it contains, uranium concentrate can be turned into tritium. Tritium significantly boosts the efficiency and power of nuclear explosions through its role in boosting the atomic reactions these bombs produce. Anfield Energy will also be producing vanadium at the Velvet-Wood mine, an element that can be used in batteries or to strengthen steel. Vanadium plays a role in the creation and strengthening of titanium, a super-strong metal used for making commercial and military aircraft. While government officials noted that civilian nuclear plants would benefit from the mine, they specifically singled out its military importance. 'Uranium is also used for fuel in US Navy nuclear reactors, such as on the Virginia-class attack submarine, and in the production of tritium, which is required for nuclear weapons,' Interior officials wrote in a statement. The Trump Administration said they're speeding up Velvet-Wood's timeline to deal with America's 'national energy emergency.' The Interior Department noted that 99 percent of the uranium needed to power US nuclear reactors was being imported from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2023 under the Biden Administration. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said: 'America is facing an alarming energy emergency because of the prior administration's Climate Extremist policies. President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis.' Burgum added that slashing the regulatory process to just two weeks will cut 'needless delays' and also bring in good-paying jobs that pave the way for US energy independence. The environmental review for uranium mining can typically take one to three years to complete. That process includes an environmental assessment that could take six to 12 months, public hearings that could last three months, and a final review that may last six months before a decision to provide a mining permit is reached. The 14-day expedited review streamlines that entire process and gets Velvet-Wood on to the next steps that'll be needed to start mining for nuclear fuel. There are currently 54 nuclear power plants running throughout the US. They generate electricity for the national grid, powering homes, businesses, and industries. According to the World Nuclear Association, the US is still the largest producer of nuclear power globally. However, the Trump Administration has cited the 'inadequate' amount of energy produced domestically inside the US, adding that the country's reliance on foreign energy sources like oil and uranium is a threat to national security. President Trump's executive order on energy granted the government emergency powers to expedite energy projects like Velvet-Wood by bypassing environmental and regulatory hurdles, aiming to increase domestic production and reduce energy costs. the reopening of Velvet-Wood comes as a secret US nuclear weapons facility near Las Vegas is reportedly restarting live bomb testing. Amid reports that both Russia and China are expanding and updating their nuclear facilities, officials with the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) say America may soon have no choice but to restart its weapons testing programs. As tensions around the globe rise, a recent report revealed that the size of the world's nuclear arsenal has quietly increased in several countries, further stoking fears of World War III. Officially, five countries - China, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea - have increased their nuclear stockpiles by over 700 warheads over the past 40 years. Meanwhile, the US has an estimated 5,044 nuclear weapons at the moment, an arsenal that is only smaller than Russia's stockpile of 5,580 bombs. Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
US takes desperate steps to open mine that could build 1,000 nuclear bombs as energy crisis deepens WWIII fears
The Trump Administration is fast-tracking the reopening of a Utah mine that will ramp up production of the nation's nuclear energy and stockpile of nuclear weapons. The US Department of the Interior announced on Monday that they're speeding up the environmental review of the Velvet-Wood uranium mine to just 14 days. This type of review can often take years to complete because of the potential damage uranium mining can cause by way of water contamination, soil degradation, and air pollution. The owners of Velvet-Wood, Anfield Energy, will likely be able to begin mining operations by the beginning of 2026, once all the necessary permits are approved and workers are hired. Velvet-Wood mine closed in 1979 due to declines in uranium prices, stricter environmental regulations, and fears that nuclear power plants could melt down and cause a major disaster. The mine's previous owners produced approximately 4.2 million pounds of uranium and 4.8 million pounds of vanadium in the 1970s. Anfield Energy believes that there is still another 4.6 million pounds of uranium oxide and 47.1 million pounds of vanadium capable of being produced, based on a preliminary economic assessment. In terms of what this could mean for the US military, that much uranium could power the reactors of approximately 85 nuclear submarines and produce over 1,000 nuclear bombs. Velvet-Wood sits on a 2,425-acre property in Utah's San Juan County. Anfield Energy plans to turn the uranium into uranium concentrate - a fine yellow powder also known as uranium oxide or yellowcake. It is mildly radioactive and can be converted into fuel for nuclear power plants. Uranium concentrate also plays a role in making nuclear weapons. By chemically enriching the substance to increase the number of U-235 isotopes it contains, uranium concentrate can be turned into tritium. Tritium significantly boosts the efficiency and power of nuclear explosions through its role in boosting the atomic reactions these bombs produce. Anfield Energy will also be producing vanadium at the Velvet-Wood mine, an element that can be used in batteries or to strengthen steel. Vanadium plays a role in the creation and strengthening of titanium, a super-strong metal used for making commercial and military aircraft. While government officials noted that civilian nuclear plants would benefit from the mine, they specifically singled out its military importance. Velvet-Wood would likely begin producing uranium concentrate for nuclear fuel by late 2025 or early 2026 based on the speed of the expedited review process 'Uranium is also used for fuel in US Navy nuclear reactors, such as on the Virginia-class attack submarine, and in the production of tritium, which is required for nuclear weapons,' Interior officials wrote in a statement. The Trump Administration said they're speeding up Velvet-Wood's timeline to deal with America's 'national energy emergency.' The Interior department noted that 99 percent of the uranium needed to power US nuclear reactors was being imported from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2023 under the Biden Administration. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said: 'America is facing an alarming energy emergency because of the prior administration's Climate Extremist policies. President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis.' Burgum added that slashing the regulatory process to just two weeks will cut 'needless delays' and also bring in good-paying jobs that pave the way for US energy independence. The environmental review for uranium mining can typically take one to three years to complete. That process includes an environmental assessment that could take six to 12 months, public hearings which could last three months, and a final review which may last six months before a decision to provide a mining permit is reached. The 14-day expedited review streamlines that entire process and gets Velvet-Wood on to the next steps that'll be needed to start mining for nuclear fuel. There are currently 54 nuclear power plants running throughout the US. They generate electricity for the national grid, powering homes, businesses, and industries. According to the World Nuclear Association, the US is still the largest producer of nuclear power globally. However, the Trump Administration has cited the 'inadequate' amount of energy produced domestically inside the US, adding that the country's reliance on foreign energy sources like oil and uranium is a threat to national security. President Trump's executive order on energy granted the government emergency powers to expedite energy projects like Velvet-Wood by bypassing environmental and regulatory hurdles, aiming to increase domestic production and reduce energy costs. the reopening of Velvet-Wood comes as a secret US nuclear weapons facility near Las Vegas is reportedly restarting live bomb testing. Amid reports that both Russia and China are expanding and updating their nuclear facilities, officials with the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) say America may soon have no choice but to restart their weapons testing programs. As tensions around the globe rise, a recent report revealed that the size of the world's nuclear arsenal has quietly increased in several countries, further stoking fears of World War III. Officially, five countries - China, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea - have increased their nuclear stockpiles by over 700 warheads over the past 40 years. Meanwhile, the US has an estimated 5,044 nuclear weapons at the moment, an arsenal that is only smaller than Russia's stockpile of 5,580 bombs.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US will fast-track Utah uranium mine permit
May 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department said on Monday it will fast-track environmental permitting for Anfield Energy's (AEC.V), opens new tab proposed Velvet-Wood uranium mine project in Utah to boost President Donald Trump's efforts to ramp up domestic energy production. As a result, the project's environmental review will be completed in just 14 days, the department said in a statement. Such studies typically take years because of the potential environmental effects of uranium mining. "America is facing an alarming energy emergency because of the prior administration's climate extremist policies. President Trump and his administration are responding with speed and strength to solve this crisis," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "The expedited mining project review represents exactly the kind of decisive action we need to secure our energy future," he said. If approved, the Velvet-Wood mine project in San Juan County would produce uranium, used in both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons production, as well as vanadium, a metal than can be used in batteries or to strengthen steel and other alloys. The Interior Department said the project would be located at the site of a previous mining operation and lead to only three acres of new surface disturbance. Anfield also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which it intends to restart. That mill would convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate that could be used as a nuclear fuel. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
