US Department of Labor notifies workers of 17 facilities associated with Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act about potential eligibility under EEOICPA

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying former workers of 17 facilities associated with the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act about compensation and medical benefits potentially available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, which is administered by the department's Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits.

Former employees may be eligible if they worked at any of the facilities during a period of covered U.S. Department of Energy-funded environmental remediation efforts. Additionally, three facilities already covered under the EEOICPA now have expanded periods of eligibility.

On Dec. 15, 2010, DEEOIC determined that the Uranium Mill at Shiprock, N.M., was a covered DOE facility for the purposes of the EEOICPA. Given that Uranium Mill at Shiprock was only one of the facilities associated with the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act, DEEOIC conducted a review considering whether additional facilities met the statutory definition of a covered DOE facility under the EEOICPA. Based on that review, DEEOIC determined that the above-mentioned facilities meet the definition.

On July 31, 2001, the Labor Department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current and former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for DOE, that department's contractors or subcontractors, a designated Atomic Weapons Employer or a beryllium vendor. Part E, created by an amendment to the EEOICPA on Oct. 28, 2004, provides federal compensation and medical benefits to DOE contractors and subcontractors who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances.

The EEOICPA also provides additional compensation for uranium workers who worked at facilities covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. To assist individuals regardless of where they live, the department has 11 stationary resource centers located throughout the country. These resource centers provide an initial point-of-contact for individuals interested in filing a claim under EEOICPA, and staff provide both in-person and telephone-based assistance. For additional information about how to file a claim under EEOICPA, call toll-free at 866-888-3322 or visit the DEEOIC's website at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/.

Editor's note: A list of the 17 facilities and the periods of covered DOE-funded environmental remediation efforts follows this release. Facilities with an expanded eligibility period are indicated by an asterisk.

Facilities associated with the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act

1. Uranium Mill in Monument Valley, Ariz., from May 1989 through February 1990 and September 1992 through May 1994
2. Uranium Mill in Tuba City, Ariz., from January 1985 through February 1986 and January 1988 through April 1990
3. Climax Uranium Mill in Grand Junction, Colo., from December 1988 through August 1994
4. Uranium Mill in Gunnison, Colo., September 1991 through December 1995
5. Uranium Mill in Maybell, Colo., from May 1995 through September 1998
6. Uranium Mill in Naturita, Colo., May 1994 through November 1994 and June 1996 through September 1998
7. New Uranium Mill in Rifle, Colo., September 1988 through September 1989 and April 1992 through October 1996
8. Old Uranium Mill in Rifle, Colo., September 1988 through September 1989 and April 1992 through October 1996
9. Uranium Mill No. 1 in Slick Rock (East), Colo., in 1995 and 1996
10. Uranium Mill No. 2 in Slick Rock (West), Colo., in 1995 and 1996
11. Uranium Mill in Lowman, Idaho, in 1992 and from 1994 to the present
12. Uranium Mill in Ambrosia Lake, N.M., from July 1987 through April 1989 and October 1992 through July 1995
13. Uranium Mill and Disposal Cell in Lakeview, Ore., from 1986 through 1989
14. Uranium Mill in Falls City, Texas, from January 1992 through June 1994
15. Uranium Mill in Mexican Hat, Utah, from July 1987 through October 1987 and September 1992 through February 1995
16. Uranium Mill in Riverton, Wyo., from May 1988 through September 1990
17. Uranium Mill in Converse County (Spook Site), Wyo., from April 1989 through September 1989
18. *Uranium Mill in Durango, Colo., already covered for 1948 through 1953, now also is covered for October 1986 through May 1991
19. *Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pa., already covered as a beryllium vendor facility for 1948, and as an Atomic Weapons Employer facility for 1942 through 1959 (with residual radiation coverage for 1958 through 1985), now also is covered for 1983 through 1985 and for 1996
20. *Uranium Mill in Monticello, Utah, already covered for 1948 through 1960, now also is covered for remediation performed by DOE and DOE contractors under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act for 1983 through 2000

*Additional years of qualifying employment have been added to these three facilities currently covered under the EEOICPA.