Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:27:27 -0400
...the state is engaged in two studies re: uranium mining and milling.
One is funded by Virginia Uranium, Inc. (VUI) and another by the Tobacco Indemnification Commission (TIC).
A citizen member of TIC, Buddy Mayhew, also an investor in VUI, voted to fund a study of potential socio-economic impacts that U mining and milling will on the state of VA. Del. Kilgore is chairman of both the TIC and VA Coal and Energy Commission (VC&C). The VC&EC's uranium subcommittee applied for the tobacco money and will oversee the study. Kinda' cozy.
At the April 15th (TIC) meeting that allocated the $200,000 of tobacco money was termed "a circus" by a couple of citizens who were in attendance.
One attendee felt that some commission members were accusing the Virginia Beach and the Danville Regional Foundation's studies as trying to derail the Coal and Energy studies.
In a May 19th e-mail I wrote, "Does anyone know who the "local investors" are or how much they've invested?
Perhaps the TIC, VC&EC and others who are involved in decision making and funding of the uranium studies should come clean on their involvement and investments. "
In the story below, Mayhew acknowledged investorship in Virginia Uranium, Inc.
The Star-Trib reports, "He spoke with the tobacco commission's attorney before the meeting and was advised he did not have a conflict of interest since Virginia Uranium was not receiving any tobacco funding." I wonder who the Commission's attorney is? Does he work for a law firm that represents uranium interests?
How many other investors sit on the TIC, the Coal and Energy Commission or other state boards, commissions, bureaus, and agencies that will decide Virginia's fate regarding uranium mining and milling?
How much was invested by these individuals? How about elected officials (past and present)? Do you think they will fairly represent and protect you or have their investment as a priority?
Maybe the Coal and Energy Commission should ask the National Academy of Sciences to identify VUI investors as part of their fact finding mission. It IS important to know.
We , the citizens of Virginia have been asked to trust the science...whose science?
Is it science of the highest bidder?
I do not see transparency, credibility or any modicum of concern for the future of Virginia from the clowns running this circus.
The National Academy of Science should be making a bee-line for the nearest exit.
We should be demanding that a ban be placed on the mining and milling of uranium in Virginia.
There is no way we'll be "safely" mined and everybody knows it. Why are we continuing with this expensive, divisive and corrupt game? I imagine that answer can be calculated...in the billions.
Tobacco commission agrees to fund socio-economic study on uranium mining
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:51 AM EDT
Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission agreed Thursday to fund up to $200,000 for a study on the socio-economic impact of uranium mining.
The study, which is separate from the scientific study set to begin soon, will address the effects of uranium mining on businesses, schools and the community in Pittsylvania County, Danville and Halifax County, according to Del. Terry Kilgore, chairman of the tobacco commission.
Kilgore also is chairman of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy. Its Uranium Mining Subcommittee applied for the tobacco money and will oversee the study.
Virginia Uranium Inc. announced plans three years ago to explore mining uranium at Coles Hill, about six miles northeast of Chatham.
Discovered in the early 1980s, the uranium deposit is one of the largest in the United States and is worth an estimated $7 billion.
Retired state Sen. Charles Hawkins of Chatham, chairman emeritus of the tobacco commission, said the socio-economic study is a good idea.
"There are legitimate questions that need to be answered, said Hawkins. "The only way to work through this is to have a study. Hopefully, this will move the process along."
The 31-member tobacco commission also includes Clarence Bryant III and Buddy Mayhew, both of Blairs, and Del. Danny Marshall of Danville.
"I think it's very important that the second phase - the socio-economic study- be done," said Mayhew, a retired tobacco farmer.
Mayhew underscored the independent nature of the study, noting it will produce a "fair and unbiased" report.
"Hopefully, the study will come back and everybody will depend on it to be honest and fair," he said.
"I think that's important because obviously you have people with strong feelings on both sides.
"Hopefully, there won't be any finger pointing. The tobacco commission doesn't have an ax to grind on this issue."
Mayhew is an investor in Virginia Uranium Inc.
He spoke with the tobacco commission's attorney before the meeting and was advised he did not have a conflict of interest since Virginia Uranium was not receiving any tobacco funding.
"I admitted up front to everybody I had an interest in it," he said.
Mayhew said he could have abstained from the discussion, but felt it was a local issue and other commission members wanted to hear his opinion.
"I felt like the group was looking to me to speak on it since I'm right here at it," he said.
Mayhew said although he has invested in the company, he doesn't believe uranium should be mined unless it can be done safely.
"We've said from day one, if it can't be done safely, forget it," he said.
"But if it can be done safely, thing of the economic benefit to this area. It would be a big boost."
Stauber hopes the foundation's work will build on a statewide scientific study of uranium mining by the National Research Council in Washington, D.C.
The National Research Council signed a contract with Virginia Tech for the $1.4 million study in February and expects to begin work this summer.
The technical study, which is being funded by Virginia Uranium through Virginia Tech, will take about a year and a half.
A final report is due Dec. 1, 2011.
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/04/21/chatham/news/news50.txt
