Energy bill insert could relax limits on uranium trade (IMPORTANT)

[salin]

comment: So first they compromise national security related to the monitoring of proliferation of WMDs, including Nukes... then this? They clearly don't get the idea of "unintended consequences". And where is the moral clarity... getting more nuclear material on the market - while simultaneously making it harder to track... NOT GOOD FOR US NATIONAL SECURITY.

Energy bill insert could relax limits on uranium trade

By R. JEFFREY SMITH
Washington Post

WASHINGTON -- A provision written into the pending omnibus energy bill at the behest of two nuclear companies would overturn a decade-old U.S. policy of discouraging worldwide trade in bomb-grade uranium by eliminating constraints on U.S. exports of the material to five countries for medical isotope production, current and former U.S. officials say.

Currently, the U.S. government can export such uranium only to isotope manufacturers moving toward the eventual use of another type of uranium that poses no risk of nuclear proliferation. The provision, inserted into a compromise version of the Energy Policy Act of 2003 without congressional hearings, would free two manufacturing companies, based in Canada and Missouri, to keep receiving U.S. bomb-grade uranium indefinitely.

Isotopes are used in medical diagnoses around the world, and the global manufacturing process annually requires enough bomb-grade uranium to make a handful of weapons. None of the material has ever been reported stolen, but Washington has spent millions of dollars to develop production methods that use a different type of uranium.

-----snip

Representatives of eight nuclear policy and arms control groups, two former commissioners of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a member of the Defense Policy Board have criticized the provision in a letter to Congress. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who sponsored the 1992 law that would be overturned, said in an interview that "it is amazing we would do this in the post-9/11 world."

whole article: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2136505

What these folks will do in the name of corporate profits is frightening.

Anyone know if there are any Carlyle connections with these companies? Or who sits on the boards of these companies?

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. ____"worldwide trade in bomb-grade uranium "____

hmmm -

-- dat'd be classified as dual use - no ?

-- feckin' hypocrits

-- it's all about the almighty dolla methinks -


(sigh)

[salin]

2. No question about it.

The story about Olsen (Soliciter General - top Govt Lawyer) working on cheney's behalf to appeal the US Supreme Court to overrule a lower court's ruling to force Cheney to divulge the members of his secret energy task force, I think is a stalling technique.

I think they know they will lose - but are trying to ensure that the ruling doesn't come until after this awful bill passes.

I have put up a summary of some of the big problems emerging in this bill in the GD forum. Please come and take a look.

[salin]

3. Schumer: he and others are considering a filibuster

Let's encourage him!

Also note the names of the two companies:

St. Louis-based Mallinckrodt Inc.
Ottawa-based MDS Nordion

[realFedUp]

4. Say one thing in public, do the opposite in private

The Bush Inc. credo.