Trust me...
Posted June 30, 2010
"I will be happy to say on behalf of Powertech, unqualified statement, that we will not harm your drinking water." - Tony Thompson, Powertech attorney, addressing opponents of the proposed Dewey-Burdock in-situ leach uranium mine at a hearing before a U.S. Atomic Safety and Licensing Board panel - Custer, South Dakota, June 8, 2010
Mr. Thompson, please forgive us if we choose not to trust you on this point. Powertech officials seem to think that if they repeat this claim frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it. I say prove it. Show us your evidence, if you have any.
But wait...who needs evidence when you have a "scientist's intuition"? On July 18, 2007, Powertech permit chief Dick Blubaugh told Denver radio journalist Ryan Warner why he was so sure that toxic and radioactive leaching fluids would never flow outside of the mining zone to contaminate drinking water supplies:
Messrs. Anthony and Blubaugh seem to feel comfortable making bald assertions about complex and dynamic systems involving hydrogeology, geochemistry, and engineering. Mr. Anthony holds a law degree and a B.A in history. Mr. Blubaugh has a B.S. in biology (hey, that's science!) and a masters degree in public administration. JW