A bill to amend the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of a disposal site in Mesa County, Colorado, until the site is filled to designed capacity.

# Bill Summary: S 4005 - Uranium Mill Tailings Disposal Site Extension **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would extend the operating license for a radioactive waste disposal site located in Mesa County, Colorado. Currently, the site operates under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, which sets rules for managing uranium mining waste. The bill would allow the site to continue operating until it reaches its full designed storage capacity, rather than having a fixed expiration date. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects Colorado residents and communities near the disposal site, as well as the facility's operators and the uranium industry.

The change removes a time-based limit on the site's operation, replacing it with a capacity-based limit. This means the site can continue accepting tailings (radioactive byproducts from uranium milling) as long as there is physical space available, which could extend operations for many years depending on how quickly the site fills up. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee review, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.