By KRWG News
New Mexico – Clean up of more than 130 old uranium mine and mill sites around New Mexico could be fast-tracked under federal legislation introduced by New Mexico's three congressmen.
Reps. Harry Teague, Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich have proposed legislation that would make funds available under the Surface Mine and Reclamation Act for the remediation of uranium sites.
If the bill passes, it would make more than $14 million available for cleaning up the New Mexico sites.
The U.S. Department of Interior says a state currently cannot use certain SMCRA funds for uranium site remediation until the state has certified that all coal remediation has been completed.
The congressmen say uranium cleanup is a bigger need in the state.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.