- Reviving Domestic Uranium Production: South Texas is becoming a focal point for the resurgence of uranium mining, driven by the U.S. push to reduce reliance on foreign uranium and support the growing demand for nuclear energy in high-tech industries.
- Environmental and Regulatory Challenges: Local opposition and concerns about groundwater contamination persist, as residents and conservation officials face setbacks in their fight against state regulators approving uranium mining permits.
- The Nuclear Renaissance: With federal and state support, Texas is positioning itself as a leader in advanced nuclear energy, aiming to power industries, reduce carbon emissions, and drive economic growth, despite the lingering tensions over resource extraction.
In the quiet expanses of South Texas, long-dormant uranium mines are beginning to stir back to life, signaling the early movements of what some hope will be a nuclear renaissance in the United States. In this region, where shallow aquifers cradle deposits of radioactive fuel, new mines are also being proposed, poised to extract uranium to feed the growing energy needs of the nation. These efforts, while contentious, reflect a broader push to revitalize domestic uranium production after decades of reliance on international sources.
For years, the United States has depended heavily on enriched uranium imported from other countries, particularly from decommissioned Russian weapons, to power its nuclear reactors and military vessels. However, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to this supply chain, particularly after the war in Ukraine began in 2022, have reignited interest in reestablishing domestic production. South Texas, with its vast uranium deposits, is becoming a focal point for this effort.
The federal government has responded by directing attention and resources to the issue. The Department of Energy, recognizing the urgent need to rebuild the nation’s uranium infrastructure, has funneled millions of dollars into developing next-generation reactors and restarting idle nuclear facilities. These actions are part of a broader goal announced by President Joe Biden to triple the nation’s nuclear capacity by 2050, a move that aligns with the administration’s zero-carbon energy ambitions.
In Texas, the call to action is particularly resonant. The state is developing high-tech industries that demand enormous amounts of reliable electricity, from cryptocurrency mines to artificial intelligence and hydrogen production facilities. Nuclear power, with its ability to produce vast quantities of energy consistently and without carbon emissions, offers a solution. Leaders in Texas, like Reed Clay, president of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, believe the state is uniquely positioned to lead this resurgence. Clay has advocated for legislative and industrial initiatives to make Texas the “nuclear capital of the world,” citing the region’s resources and energy demands as a driving force.
However, uranium mining in Texas is not without its controversies. The region has a legacy of environmental issues tied to past mining operations, particularly in South Texas, where shallow uranium deposits were extensively mined in the late 20th century. Many of these operations left behind polluted aquifers, with records of groundwater contamination from uranium, radium, and arsenic persisting to this day. While all surface-accessible deposits have been exhausted, mining companies are now turning to deeper deposits through a process called in-situ recovery. This method involves pumping solvents into uranium-bearing aquifer formations to dissolve the uranium, which is then extracted from the resulting slurry. Industry proponents claim this approach is safer and less environmentally invasive, but critics worry about the long-term risks of groundwater contamination.
Local resistance to uranium mining is strong in parts of South Texas, particularly in Goliad County, where residents and groundwater conservation officials have been fighting proposed mining operations for nearly 15 years. Despite winning favorable rulings in administrative court, they have repeatedly seen those decisions overturned by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the state’s main environmental regulator. The agency has consistently approved permits for mining companies, often rejecting concerns raised by local authorities and independent experts.
The debate over mining is deeply personal for residents like Ted Long, a former Goliad County commissioner who lives near one of the proposed mining sites. Long, whose water comes from the same aquifer slated for uranium extraction, worries about contamination. Although he and others have fought hard against the projects, the repeated defeats in court have left him disillusioned. “There’s nothing I can do,” he said. “I guess I’ll have to look for some kind of system to clean the water up.”
Mining companies like Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) and enCore Energy are pressing forward, buoyed by the rising price of uranium and the promise of federal support. UEC holds multiple sites in South Texas, including one in Goliad County that has been a flashpoint for local opposition. Meanwhile, enCore has already resumed production at two sites and plans to bring additional mines online in the coming years. These efforts align with the state’s broader energy goals, as outlined in a recent report from the Texas Public Utility Commission. The report, issued at the request of Governor Greg Abbott, envisions advanced nuclear reactors powering Texas’ industrial hubs, including ports, oil fields, and data centers.
While uranium mining is a critical piece of this vision, it also highlights the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental protection. Local leaders warn that mining at the same depth as potable water sources poses an unacceptable risk, one that could have far-reaching consequences for future generations. The slow movement of groundwater means that any contamination could spread gradually over decades, potentially affecting communities far beyond the immediate vicinity of the mines.
Despite these concerns, momentum for uranium mining and nuclear energy development continues to grow. The Texas legislature is expected to take up proposals next year to create public programs and incentives for uranium production, following recommendations from a forthcoming state report on the industry. For proponents, these steps are necessary to ensure the nation’s energy security and to position Texas as a leader in the global nuclear renaissance. For opponents, however, the fight to protect South Texas’ aquifers is far from over. The tension between these two visions underscores the complexities of America’s nuclear ambitions, where the promise of clean energy collides with the enduring challenges of resource extraction.
