In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Mary Olson, founder of the Gender and Radiation Impact Project. With decades of experience in nuclear policy and radiation research, Mary offers a practical look at how radiation exposure affects the human body—and why understanding those risks is more important than ever as nuclear energy and waste storage debates continue. From routine reactor emissions to the long-term dangers of spent nuclear fuel, she explains why radiation isn't just a distant problem, but a real factor in cancer, infertility, and other health concerns happening today. She also shares her personal story of accidental exposure and what she believes communities like Wyoming should consider before agreeing to store nuclear waste.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Dr. Allison Macfarlane, former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia.

With decades of experience in nuclear oversight, Dr. Macfarlane brings a measured, practical perspective to the fast-moving conversations surrounding nuclear energy. While many discussions today are filled with excitement—and at times, hype—around small modular reactors and next-generation designs, Dr. Macfarlane offers a grounded view on what’s proven, what remains uncertain, and what communities like Wyoming should realistically consider.

During her time leading the NRC from 2012 to 2014, including in the wake of the Fukushima disaster and during new reactor construction in Georgia, Dr. Macfarlane saw firsthand both the promises and the challenges of nuclear development.

In this interview, she discusses:

* The economic and technical unknowns surrounding small modular reactors (SMRs)
* The complex realities of nuclear waste from emerging reactor designs, including those proposed for Wyoming
* Why keeping existing reactors running is vital, but nuclear is unlikely to deliver fast solutions for climate change
* How countries like Finland, Sweden, and Canada are outpacing the U.S. in responsible spent fuel management
* Her no-nonsense take on separating industry aspirations from scientific facts

Beyong the headlines and industry hype - hear from a former NRC Chair on what's real, what's unknown, and what comes next.

As Wyoming considers its role in the future of nuclear energy—including proposals around spent nuclear fuel storage—it’s essential to examine how other countries have approached the same challenge.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we welcome Johan Swahn, former director of Sweden’s NGO Office for Nuclear Waste Review and longtime advisor on nuclear transparency and safety. With decades of experience reviewing the science, regulation, and engineering behind Sweden’s nuclear waste program, Johan offers a grounded look at how Sweden and Finland have approached permanent repository development, the science behind copper canisters, and the complexity of planning for 100,000-year containment.

Johan also discusses the public trust dynamics in Scandinavia, the role of environmental watchdogs in technical review processes, and why some of the choices made decades ago are still being debated today.

At Wyoming Liberty Group, our role is to inform, clarify, and support good public policy decisions. We believe it’s vital for Wyoming citizens and lawmakers to have access to complete, honest information—especially when the issues are as long-lasting and complex as nuclear waste. This interview is part of our effort to bring global lessons into Wyoming’s local conversation.

Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioactive waste behind.

Our guest, Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, walks us through the history of uranium processing at the Cotter Uranium Mill in Cañon City, Colorado, now a "Superfund site". She details how uranium tailings, radioactive waste, and toxic chemicals were left exposed to the environment for decades—leading to groundwater contamination, livestock deaths, and long-term health concerns for local residents.

Jeri also discusses:
- The Cold War uranium rush and how Cotter Corporation became a uranium milling hub
- The lack of early regulation that allowed massive environmental contamination
- The 42-year-long cleanup battle, why it's stalled, and the role of the EPA and Colorado regulators
- The broader implications for states like Wyoming, where policymakers are considering storing spent nuclear fuel

This conversation serves as a cautionary tale about what happens when industry outpaces regulation and why Wyoming lawmakers and communities should ask tough questions about nuclear waste storage before making commitments.

Shortly before the halfway point of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, we caught up with Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (HD 50) for a session update. As Chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Rep. Rodriguez-Williams shared insights on how the session unfolded, highlighting key legislative victories and ongoing debates. With a conservative majority in the House, bills that previously faced roadblocks are gaining momentum, making this a pivotal session for Wyoming.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The Five and Dime Plan's key bills on election integrity, banning DEI, stopping ESG investing, immigration accountability, and property tax relief.

- The status of property tax relief efforts and the People's Initiative to provide a 50% exemption.

- Election integrity bills requiring proof of residency and citizenship for voting.

- The debate over HB 16 on nuclear waste storage in Wyoming.

- Rep. Rodriguez-Williams sponsored bills, including protections for pregnancy resource centers, banning DEI in state government, and ensuring fair competition in women's sports.

With hundreds of bills introduced this session, a lot is happening. Check WyLiberty's homepage for a list of intriguing bills and their current status.

For the complete list of 2025 bills, please visit wyoleg.gov.

Over the last several days, we've received calls and emails from people around Wyoming and beyond—citizens and lawmakers alike—who want a deeper understanding of nuclear power risks and, most importantly, what is spent nuclear fuel and what it has to do with small modular reactor manufacturing in regards to SF186. With projects like TerraPower in Kemmerer and our state's potential new SMR manufacturing industry, these questions should be front and center.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with a well-known voice in the world of nuclear risk education: Dr. Gordon Edwards, president and co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility. With decades of research and advocacy, Dr. Edwards has been at the forefront of educating on the actual risks and realities of nuclear power, nuclear waste, and the long-term consequences of storing radioactive materials.

The discussion includes:

- The hidden dangers of nuclear waste and why the problem was dismissed for decades
- The history of misinformation surrounding nuclear power's safety and "clean energy" claims
- Why existing deep geological repositories for waste disposal have failed
- The alarming risks of plutonium production and its connection to nuclear weapons proliferation
- The reality of "temporary" storage solutions and how vague legal definitions could leave Wyoming holding the bag for radioactive waste for generations
- The Natrium reactor in Wyoming—what's not being told about its highly concentrated radioactive byproducts
- How small modular reactors (SMRs) produce more radioactive waste per unit of energy than conventional nuclear plants
- Why the United States uses thin-walled nuclear waste storage canisters
- Dr. Edwards recounts his historic televised 1974 debate with Edward Teller, the father of the hydrogen bomb

We hope this information assists in your pursuit of a deeper understanding of the issue. Be sure to view our full assortment of information on this topic and others at www.wyliberty.org.

For additional interview requests, please reach out with your requests to interviews@wyliberty.org

Dr. Gordon Edwards' "Nuclear 101" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2ixadwXW8&t=744s

1974 Nuclear Debate: G Edwards v E Teller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZy10obDkoo

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Mary Beth Brangan, a longtime advocate and expert in the nuclear debate, about the dangers of nuclear waste storage and what she thinks Wyoming citizens and lawmakers should know before moving forward with any proposals. Mary Beth is the director and producer of "San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy," a documentary that examines the troubling history of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California. She shares firsthand knowledge of what went wrong at that facility and how it became a cautionary tale for communities across the country.

During the conversation, Mary Beth explains how San Onofre, situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, was shut down in 2013 due to serious safety concerns, including whistleblower reports of regulatory failures and dangerous radioactive leaks. However, even after the plant was closed, the problems didn’t end. The spent nuclear fuel was placed in thin-walled containers just 100 feet from the ocean, despite the rising sea levels and the increasing risk of environmental catastrophe. She describes how these containers were not designed for long-term storage, yet the industry continues to push for similar solutions across the country, including potential storage sites in places like Wyoming.

As Wyoming lawmakers consider allowing nuclear waste storage in the state, Mary Beth warns that history has shown time and again how the nuclear industry prioritizes cost-cutting over safety. She highlights how recent legislation, including the Nuclear Advance Act, has weakened regulations even further, placing efficiency for the industry above necessary safety measures. She also raises concerns about transporting this highly radioactive material across the country, pointing to the risks of train derailments and leaks during transit.

One of the biggest selling points for nuclear waste storage in Wyoming has been the claim that it could bring in up to four billion dollars annually. Mary Beth challenges this idea by emphasizing that no amount of money can undo the long-term health and environmental damage caused by radioactive contamination. She explains how exposure to nuclear waste leads to serious health risks, including thyroid disorders, kidney disease, heart problems, and reproductive issues. Once contamination occurs, it is nearly impossible to reverse, making it a permanent threat to land, water, and people.

She also discusses the broader nuclear energy debate, including the push for smaller reactors like the one being proposed in Kemmerer, Wyoming. While some argue that newer designs are safer, she points out that recent studies have shown these reactors could actually produce more waste and present even greater challenges for storage and disposal.

For Wyoming residents who care about protecting their state’s natural resources and communities, this interview provides an important perspective on the risks that come with nuclear waste storage. Mary Beth urges decision-makers to carefully examine the industry’s track record and recognize that the promises made today may not hold up when it comes to long-term safety and accountability.

In this compelling episode of Eye on the Issues, we delve into the urgent and unavoidable dangers of nuclear waste storage with Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green. As Wyoming contemplates opening its doors to become a repository for nuclear waste, this conversation is a stark warning about the industry’s long-standing failures and unresolved issues.

Gary shares his firsthand experience with the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in California, where 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste remain perilously stored just 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean. Despite assurances from the industry, this waste is housed in thin-walled canisters that were never designed for long-term safety. These canisters, plagued by risks of corrosion, stress fractures, and hydrogen buildup, represent a ticking time bomb that could have catastrophic consequences if even one fails.

The industry’s approach to nuclear waste management has consistently prioritized cost-cutting and expediency over safety and transparency. Gary recounts the troubling experiences of whistleblowers at San Onofre, who were retaliated against for raising concerns about safety violations. These revelations, combined with the failures of poorly designed steam generators that lasted only 11 months instead of 40 years, highlight the systemic negligence that plagues the nuclear industry.

As Wyoming considers becoming a storage site for nuclear waste, Gary emphasizes the critical lessons that must be learned. Currently under consideration, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024 is presented as a solution, but it fails to address fundamental safety and environmental concerns. Instead, it shifts liability away from the industry and onto taxpayers, while limiting public input in decision-making. This dangerous precedent puts profits ahead of people and the environment.

Gary cautions Wyoming not to accept nuclear waste under the current conditions. The industry remains unsettled on the type of casks necessary to store these materials safely, and the thin-walled canisters currently in use are insufficient for safe transport or long-term storage. Until the industry adopts more robust solutions, such as thick, bolted casks used successfully in countries like Switzerland, Wyoming would be taking on an unacceptable risk with no clear path to resolution.

This episode is a call to action for lawmakers and citizens to demand accountability and transparency from the nuclear industry. The dangers of nuclear waste storage are not hypothetical—they are real and imminent and have the potential to render entire regions uninhabitable for tens of thousands of years. Wyoming must heed the warnings from places like San Onofre and refuse to become a dumping ground for the industry’s unresolved problems.