Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

Nuclear power has come a long way since the days of the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island disasters. Building today’s technology, however, comes with a steep price.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) wasn’t renewed by Congress earlier this year. Many people are still dealing with the health and financial effects of nuclear testing, and several Tribes traveled to Washington, D.C., in September to let lawmakers know about their concerns.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar joined with members of the New Mexico congressional delegation to call on voters to put more pressure on Republican House leaders to revive the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expired on Friday, June 7, leaving many people who were affected by nuclear testing and research in the West without a way to get monetary support for their suffering. Supports of the act are still fighting for expansion of the act and trying to find other ways to revive the program.

The June 10 expiration deadline for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is fast approaching. Utah members of the downwinder community say a “last ditch effort” is underway to save the program.

The 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is set to expire in June. Now, Congress — and Utah’s delegation — is grappling over whether to expand or merely extend the program.

Utah lawmakers want Congress to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. It’s a federal program meant to help those suffering the effects of nuclear testing or uranium mining.

Federal legislation introduced this week would expand and increase a compensation program for Utahns and people from surrounding states exposed to…