Nuclear Testing

In this July 6, 1945, file photo, scientists and other workers rig the world's first atomic bomb to raise it up onto a 100-foot tower at the Trinity bomb test site near Alamagordo, N.M. A group of people who have been affected by government nuclear tests and other toxic fallout is rallying Congress to extend a fun for victims of these nuclear tests, including some of the Trinity testing in New Mexico.

Advocates head to Washington D.C. to rally support for radiation compensation law

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was established in 1990 and has helped more than 40,000 people who developed medical problems after being exposed to radiation through government nuclear tests, uranium mining, and other toxic fallout. Existing protections are set to expire on June 7 unless Congress intervenes.

A black and white historical photo shows a member of the Colorado Health Department placing a device on another person's outstretched right arm.

Regional 暗黑爆料

US Senate votes to expand radiation-exposure compensation, from Guam to original A-bomb test site

Morgan Lee, Associated Press

The U.S. Senate has endorsed a major expansion of a compensation program for people sickened by exposure to radiation during nuclear weapons testing and the mining of uranium during the Cold War.

Operation Buster-Jangle Dog was the first land-based nuclear field exercise in the U.S., taking place at the Nevada Test Site on November 1, 1951. Troops seen here are only 6 miles from the blast.

暗黑爆料

Proposal would expand aid to more victims of nuclear weapons tests

Madelyn Beck

A federal fund that compensates people sickened by radiation from nuclear weapons testing is set to expire next year. However, a new proposal to both extend and expand it.

Onlookers watch during atomic weapons testing, which occurred in Nevada from 1951 to 1992.

The Clock Winds Down On The West鈥檚 Nuclear Downwinders

Noah Glick

For years during the Cold War, large swaths of land in Nevada were used for atomic weapons testing. Nuclear bombs were dropped just miles from small...

Health

Western Governors Back Bills To Compensate More Victims Of Cold War Weapons Testing

Rae Ellen Bichell

Governors of Western states have signed letters supporting a pair of bills that would compensate more people who were exposed to radiation from nuclear鈥�

Politics

With Coal Revenue Down, Wyoming Eyes Another Opportunity: Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel

Rae Ellen Bichell

Wyoming lawmakers are exploring the possibility of storing spent nuclear fuel rods to bolster the state budget as coal revenue becomes less reliable. Such鈥�

Health

Cold War Weapons Testing Made People Sick. Now, More Mountain West Residents Could Be Compensated

Rae Ellen Bichell

Nuclear testing during the Cold War sent radioactive fallout far away from the actual test sites. Politicians are moving to expand who can be compensated鈥�