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.