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The main points:
Solstice Advanced Materials agreed to pay $80 million to settle lawsuits alleging that its Metropolis, Illinois uranium-conversion plant released radioactive material for decades, contaminating properties and contributing to cancers. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe
The plant and the claims
- The Metropolis Works facility, built in the 1950s, is the only U.S. plant that converts milled uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), the feedstock for nuclear fuel.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe
- Residents, the City of Metropolis, and Massac County alleged that radiotoxic emissions settled on homes, buildings, parks, and playgrounds, causing property damage and higher rates of brain, lung, and other cancers. Litigation dated back to 2018 and included a class action plus individual personal-injury and property cases.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/trump-backed-nuclear-plant-settles-cancer-contamination-lawsuits?srnd=homepage-europe
The settlement
- Solstice (spun out of Honeywell; ticker SOLS) reached an agreement in principle covering all related litigation. It denies liability or wrongdoing and says it has strong defenses, but chose to settle to avoid further cost, uncertainty, and distraction.https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260929ny59717/solstice-advanced-materials-plaintiffs-announce-agreement-in-principle-to-settle-longstanding-litigation-related-to-metropolis-works-operations
- A substantial portion is earmarked for local public-health and community programs. The class-action portion still needs court approval, which will take months.https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260929ny59717/solstice-advanced-materials-plaintiffs-announce-agreement-in-principle-to-settle-longstanding-litigation-related-to-metropolis-works-operations
Why “Trump-backed”
- The plant is the sole domestic UF₆ conversion site and is treated as a critical part of the U.S. nuclear-fuel supply chain amid a policy push to expand nuclear power (including AI/data-centre demand). The Department of Energy has provided support, including funds tied to litigation costs and output increases. https://www.highergov.com/grant/DENE0009553/
Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland's work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:
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Is there a comparable nuclear facility in the UK?
The closest historical equivalent was Springfields near Preston, Lancashire (England), operated by Westinghouse / Springfields Fuels. It converted uranium to UF₆ for decades (Lines 1–4, last production around 2014 from 1946) and then mothballed that capability. Nominal listed capacity was about 5,500 tU/year. https://www.wise-uranium.org/efac.html
There may or may not be an error but 5 000 tU/year could fuel between 25 and 30 large reactors. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/uranium-markets.aspx
Exports?
What are the prevailing winds?
So, the people of Preston, due East got much of the polluted air while fairy regular southerlies will have sent it over the border into Scotland only miles away.
Is there any reason to think that the people of Preston have not suffered in the same way?
How essential are they?
They are essential for most of the world’s power-reactor fuel. Without conversion, you generally cannot enrich uranium for light-water reactors (PWRs, BWRs, most SMRs).
Are there proposals to build a new one in the UK?
Westinghouse (Springfields Fuels, Lancashire) wants to re-establish uranium conversion at Springfields — turning natural and reprocessed uranium into UF₆, the same step Metropolis does. Conversion there stopped in 2014; the plant was mothballed. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-09-02/hl3036
Before the crowdfunder finishes tomorrow, support Talking-up Scotland's work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at:
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Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421
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