For better or for worse (and there are reasonable people with passionate views on both sides of the issue), New Mexico is in the uranium business. We've got an enrichment plant soon to come on line outside Eunice, and a significant prospect of uranium mining in the Grants area. There are strong feelings about the issue because of the conflict between economic development and environmental degradation.

 Which is why a couple of stories this week drew my eye. First was news from Bloomberg that the price of uranium is on the rise:

Uranium rose to the highest in seven months as energy commodities gained globally and utilities sought to acquire stakes in companies mining the metal. 

The second was also from Bloomberg, news that Areva, the French nuclear giant, plans to step up production in Namibia and Kazakhstan in anticipation of rising global demand.

What do you think about the uranium business in New Mexico? Which are higher, the costs or the benefits?