By Bill Sniffin
Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday morning in Lander that President Donald Trump placed $150 million in his upcoming budget for the purchase of domestic uranium to replenish military supplies.
Gordon said he spoke with Larry Kudlow, an economic advisor of the president, who said that working with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, the purchase was included in the budget.
“I’m excited,” Gordon said. “Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with Larry Kudlow. He let us know that in the president’s budget there will be $150 million item to buy uranium for the strategic weapon reserve.”
“This is a real boon for our uranium industry and for the miners,” he said.
Wyoming is the largest producer of uranium of any state.
Uranium prices have plummeted in recent years because of foreign countries dumping uranium at below market rates.
“We had asked if he would consider a tariff on uranium that is coming from Kazakhstan,” Gordon said. “For those of you who don’t know, Kazakhstan mines with sulfuric acid, no reclamation, and no real standards for the workforce. They have environmental disaster after environmental disaster but it keeps their prices low.”
Gov. Gordon was in Lander and Fremont County meeting with the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes and talking to the Lander and Riverton Rotary Clubs.
