(Detonation of Fizeau on September 14, 1957 at the Nevada Test Site)
By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Following the reinstatement of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 2025, health officials have sought to spread awareness of the act to downwinders from the nuclear weapon testing at the Nevada Test Site.
The term “Downwinder” is used to describe people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and New Mexico during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.
In Utah, the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program is hosting a series of public events across the state to inform impacted individuals about the reinstatement and expansion of the RECA program and to provide applications to eligible individuals for up to $100,000.
In Price, a public meeting on RECA is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from noon to 1 p.m., at the Active Re-Entry building, located at 10 South Fairgrounds Road.
“This is a free service. Come receive information regarding what new areas now qualify to apply for the RECA compensation as well as the new increased compensation amount,” reads a release from Intermountain Health regarding the program. “If you have called asking for an application to be sent and they have not been able to call you back, applications will be available. The online portal will also be discussed.”
In addition to the informational meeting, residents can have their RECA applications reviewed one hour before and one hour after the meeting.
Intermountain does clarify that those who have already received RECA funds will not be eligible for additional compensation: ”Unfortunately, if you have already been compensated by the RECA program, the law does not allow you to apply for any additional money.”
The Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program RECA public meeting arrives in the Castle Country on Saturday, March 21, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Active Re-Entry building located at 10 South Fairgrounds Road in Price. Residents and their families are encouraged to come and have their questions answered about the program.
