"We're from the Government, we're here to help you." As if. For decades the US Atomic Energy Commission was the sole purchaser of uranium yellowcake mined mostly in Colorado and Arizona by Navajo workers. These workers were recklessly exposed to Radon and other hazards during the mining and milling processes and were unwittingly used as human guinea pigs.

Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 1992, amended in 2005, to compenate such workers and their families if they can meet very technical criteria.

At the same time, the NRC is amending the rules to make it easier for new nuclear power plants to be permitted.

Congress is also looking at revising the Mining Act of 1872 to make it easier for mining companies to mine and pay royalties to the US Government.