Confronting Media & Other Bias Against
Nuclear Power, Uranium Exploration & Mining,
and Associated Environmental Issues
Natural Resources Group
Houston - Seattle
January 3, 2012
Over the past few years, C&A personnel (now I2M Associates personnel) noticed an increase in the number of poorly written, inaccurate, and deceptive articles that were produced by various types of media on the subject of nuclear power, uranium exploration and mining, and associated environmental issues. These reports came from the national media, national and local environmental adversarial groups, local citizens' groups and the attorneys who represent them. Because they all seem to have many shortcomings in common, C&A personnel began in 2007 to examine them in some detail. Effective April 1, 2010, I2M Associates has agreed to continue to support the I2M personnel who review and comment on articles selected through a process involving at least three and perhaps additional associates and to publish their reviews on this I2M Associates News web page as an educational contribution to the general public.
We will endeavor to point out how some public officials and media reporters employ certain words to make a particular impact on the reader, or who make statements that have no basis in fact or appropriate reference, or that combine and confuse subjects treated in the article in order to encourage the reader to draw certain conclusions that the general public might not otherwise make. We have also noticed a problem with paid activists and attorneys who are credentialed in one academic field but who claim knowledge in another technical field and attempt to influence others on subjects about which they know very little. Also, activists and associated attorneys who have been supported by wind and /or solar interests have been making "anti-nuclear" presentations to local groups without indicating who have been supporting their efforts.
A quick examination of our credentials and associated activities should make it apparent to the general public and other professionals alike that the Associates consists of a group of professional geoscientists who have been involved in environmental projects as well as uranium exploration and recovery-related activities for many decades. Hence, we are active in the protection of natural resources and in their development. As consultants, and as licensed professional geologists in Texas and in a number of other states, we have an obligation to conduct our business in a professional manner as do other professionals in Texas and throughout the U.S. with similar licenses, credentials and training. We conclude that it is part of our individual professional duty to speak out on public matters relating to controversial issues regarding natural resources and the environment.
In this program of commenting on selected media articles, we are alerting the general public on the vagaries of the local news media and news media in general around the country. We encourage the general public to take notice of how some local public servants, activists, and news media are sowing the seeds of misinformation, creating unnecessary controversy and mistrust around the U.S. This includes the dissemination of shoddy and blatantly-biased articles related specifically to inhibiting the expansion of nuclear power and uranium exploration and recovery. To this end, we invite the general public to send us articles to review as either examples of biased reporting (or well-balanced reporting) for consideration in the I2M Associates News Analysis program.
We list below some of the articles we have prepared addressing some of the issues below:
State of the Uranium Industry in the U.S. & the World: 2011
By Michael D. Campbell, Invited Presentation to the Ohio Geological Society, Columbus, Ohio, on April 21, 2011: http://i2massociates.com/downloads/OGSPresentationApril21-2011.pdf
Uranium Recovery Realities in the U.S. - A Review
By Michel D. Campbell and Henry M. Wise, Invited Presentation to the Houston Geological Society Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting on May 18, 2010
http://www.mdcampbell.com/HGSUraniumRecoveryRealitiesV1.9.pdf_______________________
We list below the articles that we have reviewed to date:
The EPA has a Duty to Protect Aquifers
By Adam Friedman and Jim Blackburn - Houston Chronicle, January 28, 2011 .......( Review #24)
Original Article: http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/The-EPA-has-a-duty-to-protect-aquifers-2429522.php
Nuclear Power's Core of Support Gains Strength
By Eric Berger - Houston Chronicle, January 9, 2009 ................(Review #23)
Original Article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6203553.htmlActivists Want Mining Suspended
By Lisa Sandberg - Express-News in My SA News, October 9, 2008 .......................(Review #22)
Original Article: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/30665509.htmlDon’t Be Fooled by Nuclear Industry Shill; Environmentalists Are Not Backing New Reactors
Nuclear Power Plant Proposed for Victoria Puts Region at Risk
By An Anonymous Reporter - American Patriots.com - May 9th, 2008......................(Review #21)
Original Article: http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48747138_don%E2%80%99t-be-fooled-nuclear-industry-shill-environmentPower Struggle: Opponents of a Proposed Uranium Mine Near Nunn Find Kindred Spirits in South Texas.
By Rebecca Boyle - Fort Collins Now, February 6, 2008.............................................(Review #20)
Original Article: http://www.fortcollinsnow.com/article/20080206/NEWS/340020944Powering Up Nuclear: Uranium Industry Still Has its Supporters, Opponents.
by Kevin Killough - The Independent, Gallup, New Mexico, January 4, 2007.................(Review #19)
Original Article: http://www.gallupindependent.com/2008/January/010408kk_pwrngupnclr.html
Mining Company, Uranium Opponents Seek Public Approval
By Sonny Long - Victoria Advocate, December 9, 2007................................................(Review #18)
Original Article: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/896217/
Hot Air and Wind: A National Renewable Power Requirement.
By Robert J. Michaels - Professor, Economics at California State U., Fullerton, December 20, 2007 (Review #17)
Original Article: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTlhN2I4ZDhmZTg2N2NmM2EzNmExYTEwNWRjNzU3Mzk=Two Strikes Against New Nuclear Reactors
By Lara Cushing - San Antonio Express - News, October 24, 2007 ................................(Review #16)
Original Article: http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/stories/MYSA102507.01Onukecomment.2332aa9.htmlU.S. Nuclear Industry Set for Expansion
By Kim Laners - Australian Broadcasting Company, ABC News, November 21, 2007....(Review #15)
Original URL: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2097451.htm?section=world
A Uranium Alliance Formed
By Brandon Bennett - Black Hills Pioneer, Rapid City, November 12, 2007.......................(Review #14)
Original URL: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1300&dept_id=156925&newsid=19015356&PAG=461&rfi=9Uranium Company Won't Admit the Health Dangers
By Lilias Jones Jarding, Ph.D. - Fort Collins Coloradoan, October 29, 2007 .....................(Review #13)
Original URL: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071029/OPINION04/710290313Water Group: 'We Want Action'
By Sonny Long - Victoria Advocate, October 16, 2007 ..................................................... (Review #12)
Original URL: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/847/story/137670.html#Uranium Rally Focuses on Water
By Sonny Long - Victoria Advocate, July 29, 2007 ..............................................................(Review #11)
Original URL: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/428/story/97702.htmlHype on Nuclear Power is Misleading
By Brahma Chellaney - The Japan Times OnLine, September 27, 2007 ...............................(Review # 10)
Original Article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20070927bc.htmlTypical Questions from Citizens & Landowners Regarding Uranium Mining in Texas and Typical Responses by Uranium Companies in Texas
and Elsewhere By I2MA Natural Resources Group, August 27, 2007 (C&A Summary of Typical Questions from the Community)Global Warming Heats up the Nuclear Option
By Greg Lavine - The Salt Lake Tribune, July 16, 2007 .........................................................(Review #9)
Original Article: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6379800Nuclear Power is Back -- Not a Moment Too Soon
By Geoffrey Colvin - Money.cnn.com, May 30, 2005 ..............................................................(Review #8)
Original Article: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/05/30/8261234/ index.htmUtilities Seek Licenses to Build 33 Additional Nuclear Reactors
By Nolan Hicks, The Daily Texan, Austin, TX, July 25, 2007 ...................................................(Review #7)
Original Article: http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007 /07/25/ TopStories/ Utilities. Seek.Licenses.To.Build.33.Additional.Nuclear.Reactors-2927015.shtmlTexans: Say No to Uranium Mining
By Zsombor Peter - Gallup Independent, Gallup, NM, July 24, 2007 .......................................(Review #6)
Original Article: http://www.gallupindependent.com/2007/july/072407zp_txnssynotorunmmng.htmlWaste Drums Tipped at Nuke Plant after Deadly Japan Quake; Thousands Evacuate Quake Zone
by Eric Talmadge, Associated Press, Kashiwazaki, Japan, July 17, 2007 ....................................(Review #5)
Original Article: http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=13149
A Barrel of Gaffes: Earthquake Causes Nuclear Headaches in Japan
by Aileen Mioko Smith - Daily Grist ((Green Action), July 17, 2007 ..........................................(Review #4)
Uranium Mining Causes Concern
by Jocelyn Mercer, Bowesonline.com, July 6, 2007......................................................................(Review #3)
Original Article: http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id=46&x=story&xid=321347Just say, 'No Way' to Uranium
by Jackie Adolph - The Coloradoan.com, June 11, 2007.............................................................(Review #2)
Original Article: (Here)Uranium May Reach $200 in Two Years, Macquarie Says
by Angela Macdonald-Smith, Bloomberg, Sydney, June 5, 2007...................................................(Review #1)
Original Article: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid= ameL3kcWKT5o&refer=energy
Blog Follow-Up: http://findout9884.blogspot.com/2007/11/uranium-demand-showing-price-weakness.htmlBack to I2MA Home Page
Note 1: Because this page is dynamic, I2MA makes additions, revisions, and updates it on a regular basis. Only the current version presents the Associates' positions on the matters discussed above.
Note 2: The opinions expressed in the comments presented in reponse to published articles above are those of the individuals who conducted the reviews and not nessitarily those of I2M Associates, LLC.