Trump signals support for uranium mining near Grand Canyon | TheHill

But the decision is ultimately Trump's.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.In Congress, Democrats are pushing to expand the existing moratorium.House Democrats this month introduced a bill designed to prohibit hard rock mining for the next 100 years in the same area affected by the 2012 ban.The legislation sparked a political fight between lawmakers who see mining as a threat to public land, and those who see it as an economic opportunity.“The people of Arizona know the facts — that uranium mining is a threat to our precious water resources, to our tribal communities, and to one of our greatest national treasures,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) during a hearing last week on his bill, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act.Rep. Alan LowenthalAlan Stuart LowenthalOvernight Energy: Inslee says DNC won't hold climate debate | Democrats fear Trump opening door to mining in Grand Canyon | Interior pick gets surprising support from greens | Ocasio-Cortez says effective climate plan needs T Overnight Energy: Inslee says DNC won't hold climate debate | Democrats fear Trump opening door to mining in Grand Canyon | Interior pick gets surprising support from greens | Ocasio-Cortez says effective climate plan needs T Dem lawmakers blast Trump for opening door to mining in Grand Canyon MORE (D-Calif.) argued that the administration was making a weak case in its push for new mining.“Currently, over half of our uranium supplies come from our strongest allies — we’re talking about Australia and Canada — while the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that we already have access to enough uranium to meet our military needs until 2060,” he said at the hearing.Rep. Paul GosarPaul Anthony GosarHouse conservatives want information on TSA policies for undocumented immigrants House conservatives want information on TSA policies for undocumented immigrants 58 GOP lawmakers vote against disaster aid bill MORE (R-Ariz.), however, argued that the current ban, coupled with an extended moratorium, would hurt his state’s economy, a viewpoint the mining industry is hoping Trump will embrace.“The canyon and people are protected and the economic benefit of over $29 billion and the security of our nation is what’s at stake,” Gosar said last week.“You can have your clean air, clean water and mining too,” he added.