GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Thousands of uranium industry workers in western Colorado could be eligible for federal compensation under proposed legislation.
The Daily Sentinel reported Monday that a measure introduced by Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., could broaden who would be covered under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to workers after 1971.
The existing law doesn’t cover mill workers or miners who hauled uranium. It also excludes people who lived downwind from nuclear testing sites.
Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton, whose district includes uranium mines, says he’s looking at the legislation.
Udall’s staff says they don’t know how many claimants might exist. Attorneys in Grand Junction say they’ve been contacted by 1,000 people with plausible claims.
Claimants would be entitled to medical benefits related to nuclear radiation illnesses.
Both Colorado senators support the legislation.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
