Comments: Keep the Uranium Mining Ban! Great comments from FB: DD: Okay, the senator who the uranium com gave around $15,000, said he was introducing last year after the glowing NAS report, now this year the Gov of VA creates a bias UWG who hires Wright Envo. Group, 100 per cent uranium bunch, now UWG says Regulations and best practices will protect us, Best Practice written by nukes and uranium mining companies, the UWG ignored all the Keep the Ban Resolutions from NC, VA, ignored the Farm Bur, ignored VA Beach's report, ignore all of us proving regulations are not working out West, the Gov and EPA not enforcing Regulations out West, ignore the health warnings from real doctors, ignore the Tailing pond design recommended by Wright Env. Group which is failing in Finland, right now......so Southside Leaders, you better step up and counter this crazy offer, or kill it now......
From: KM: Watkins has been responsible for wasting millions of taxpayer dollars by supporting reports and studies to which he pays no heed. His decision to support a bill, any bill...to mine and mill uranium in Virginia does not appear to be based on information contained in reports. In fact, this news report states, "The senator hinted last week that he 'might be' the one to ask for regulations to be written for the uranium industry, fulfilling a requirement in the law that would lift the moratorium." He had made up his mind prior to the public release of the report and has no regard for the pending UWG socio-economic report. He has not even given Southside the courtest of explaining why feels support of uranium mining and milling is warranted. Merricks thinks we can regulate uranium mining? An explanation would be appreciated he...re since uranium mining has no regulations at present. At least he appears to appreciate the risks (heartburn) involved with radioactive waste storage. Marshall says, “I think it’s backwards, myself. I think there should first be a vote to lift the moratorium.” Perhaps he should be working on such legislation? The executive summary alone sends up many red flags such as VUI gaining landowner permission to test water and crops insuring that folks have a choice to either spend thousands to try to prove in court VUI contaminated water or crops or sell out to them for cents on the dollar. At present VUI claims 3500 of the over 40,000 acres in Pittsylvania county that Marline held in uranium leases throughout the county. Page 19 of the UWG report states, "Lifting the current moratorium could result in an increase in exploration activities." Jackson writes, "Another legislative meeting will be scheduled in Richmond before the General Assembly convenes. The discussion of any possible action or recommendation related to the report will take place then." Which legislative committee? If it's the the Coal and Energy Commission we'd do better to have the devil convene his minions in Hades. Jackson also states the if the House, Senate and Governor decide to lift the moratorium that "The public would have input in the regulatory and environmental impacts processes." The public has already given input and it overwhelmingly supports a BAN. If the moratorium is lifted the public, having been ignored on that point, should have no hope for being heard regarding their input on regulatory and environmental impacts processes.
From K: Senator Watkins, for breaking the tension and announcing what we have known all along. Give enough political contributions and fancy French vacations, and from Richmond, the largest county in VA is awarded to VUI. The support of any Republican that wishes to remain one will be thrown behind this process, no wonder the Republican Princess of Roanoke was so bold at the UWG meeting in Richmond as to repeatedly tell me to shut up and threaten me. Heck, they bought and paid for the subjects of Pittsylvania and expect us to bow to their supremacy.Who knows where this uranium bomb will land, but come November next, I suspect there will be a great defection of the people from the party of despots and their minions. Feeling sold out and left behind? Your tax dollars are being wasted by these multimillionaires to further their own ends, when your own local and state government acts against the interests of the people, as pawns of these corporate and government giants, it's time for a sea change.
State senator to sponsor uranium mining legislation
Posted: Monday, December 3, 2012 4:00 pm | Updated: 9:49 pm, Mon Dec 3, 2012.
State Sen. John C. Watkins, R-Powhatan, confirmed Monday he will sponsor a bill in 2013 to lift Virginia’s moratorium on uranium mining.
I have made a request to Legislative Services for legislation that adheres to the principles outlined by the UWG [Uranium Working Group] and intend to be the patron of such a bill,” Watkins wrote. “I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to establish a robust state regulatory program for uranium mining.”
Watkins noted, “Passage of this legislation would be the first step in a long [five-to-eight-year] process; it will not authorize any mining activity.”
Gov. Bob McDonnell formed the Uranium Working Group in January to research health issues connected with the industry and create a draft regulatory framework for uranium mining and milling in the Commonwealth. The Uranium Working Group’s final report was issued Friday — and does not include any recommendation on the 1982 ban.
However, the socioeconomic report requested by the working group has been delayed and was not included in the 125-page, heavily-technical report issued Friday. Wright Environmental, which has been used by the working group for previous studies, subcontracted with the Herndon-based firm ORI to complete the study, but research got a late start. It is expected sometime before the legislative session starts in January.
“I am aware that some of my colleagues remain skeptical about this issue,” Watkins acknowledged in his statement. “But I am confident that the information contained in the many reports and studies that have been done over the past three years and the body of knowledge we obtained on the issue 30 years ago, as well as numerous examples of safe and successful uranium mining around the world, will lead them to the same conclusions to which I have come: Today uranium mining is done safely around the world and Virginia is capable of mining it safely too.”
Watkins was a freshman delegate when the General Assembly first considered the issue, prompted by the efforts of Marline, which wanted to mine the same Pittsylvania County deposit until uranium prices took a nosedive. Watkins was part of the Coal and Energy Commission in 1985, which submitted its own report to the General Assembly based on the conclusions and recommendations of the then-Uranium Administrative Group.
Virginia Uranium has been lobbying the General Assembly to give the state authorization to create regulations for the industry, which would effectively lift the ban. The company wants to mine a 119-million-pound deposit six miles from Chatham.
Watkins received $2,000 from Virginia Uranium in campaign contributions made in 2011 and 2008. The company also paid $2,658 to send Watkins to visit mines in Canada in 2011. The year before, Virginia Uranium paid $9,327 for Watkins to visit France.
The Uranium Working Group’s report will be presented to the Uranium Subcommittee of the Coal and Energy Commission at 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham. No action on the report will be taken that night, but written questions will be taken from the audience after the Uranium Working Group’s presentation.
Local legislators were lukewarm to Watkins’ announcement.
Delegate Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania, has read the working group’s report and doesn’t share Watkins’ confidence, in part because the socioeconomic study is not complete. He said the report laid out regulatory structure, but left other questions unanswered.
“I’ve yet to see state agencies work very well together, period,” Merricks said. “You can draw up regulations. That’s really not the question. It didn’t answer the what-ifs.”
He added: “At this point in time, I’m not convinced it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Nevertheless, said Merricks, “I can deal with the mining. I think we can regulate that.”
He said that Virginia has extensive experience with mining, but the storage of uranium mine wastes, called tailings, and uranium milling gives him heartburn.
“I just think that’s a risky, risky thing. I have an issue with that.”
Delegate Danny Marshall, R-Danville, says he has spoken with Watkins and disagrees with the senator.
“It doesn’t have to be the way he’s doing it,” Marshall said. “I think it’s backwards, myself. I think there should first be a vote to lift the moratorium.”
He added: “What could happen is that you have a bill drawn saying we will vote on lifting the moratorium and if the moratorium is lifted, regulations will be drawn.”
Marshall said writing regulations will cost several million dollars and take 18 to 24 months.
“Money is always tight in state government,” he said. “What if we write those regulations and don’t lift the moratorium?”
Marshall says he is still plodding through the report, but what he’s read so far doesn’t convince him that lifting the moratorium in the right thing to do.
“Everything’s got a risk. Everything’s got a reward,” he said. “I think the risks are too high for the rewards.”
It will need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the governor for the moratorium to be lifted. If that happens, the process of writing regulations would begin. Those would need to be in place before a permit could be issued. Virginia Uranium would also be required to do one or more environmental impact studies. The public would have input in the regulatory and environmental impacts processes.
Jackson reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
I have made a request to Legislative Services for legislation that adheres to the principles outlined by the UWG [Uranium Working Group] and intend to be the patron of such a bill,” Watkins wrote. “I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to establish a robust state regulatory program for uranium mining.”
Watkins noted, “Passage of this legislation would be the first step in a long [five-to-eight-year] process; it will not authorize any mining activity.”
Gov. Bob McDonnell formed the Uranium Working Group in January to research health issues connected with the industry and create a draft regulatory framework for uranium mining and milling in the Commonwealth. The Uranium Working Group’s final report was issued Friday — and does not include any recommendation on the 1982 ban.
However, the socioeconomic report requested by the working group has been delayed and was not included in the 125-page, heavily-technical report issued Friday. Wright Environmental, which has been used by the working group for previous studies, subcontracted with the Herndon-based firm ORI to complete the study, but research got a late start. It is expected sometime before the legislative session starts in January.
“I am aware that some of my colleagues remain skeptical about this issue,” Watkins acknowledged in his statement. “But I am confident that the information contained in the many reports and studies that have been done over the past three years and the body of knowledge we obtained on the issue 30 years ago, as well as numerous examples of safe and successful uranium mining around the world, will lead them to the same conclusions to which I have come: Today uranium mining is done safely around the world and Virginia is capable of mining it safely too.”
Watkins was a freshman delegate when the General Assembly first considered the issue, prompted by the efforts of Marline, which wanted to mine the same Pittsylvania County deposit until uranium prices took a nosedive. Watkins was part of the Coal and Energy Commission in 1985, which submitted its own report to the General Assembly based on the conclusions and recommendations of the then-Uranium Administrative Group.
Virginia Uranium has been lobbying the General Assembly to give the state authorization to create regulations for the industry, which would effectively lift the ban. The company wants to mine a 119-million-pound deposit six miles from Chatham.
Watkins received $2,000 from Virginia Uranium in campaign contributions made in 2011 and 2008. The company also paid $2,658 to send Watkins to visit mines in Canada in 2011. The year before, Virginia Uranium paid $9,327 for Watkins to visit France.
The Uranium Working Group’s report will be presented to the Uranium Subcommittee of the Coal and Energy Commission at 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham. No action on the report will be taken that night, but written questions will be taken from the audience after the Uranium Working Group’s presentation.
Local legislators were lukewarm to Watkins’ announcement.
Delegate Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania, has read the working group’s report and doesn’t share Watkins’ confidence, in part because the socioeconomic study is not complete. He said the report laid out regulatory structure, but left other questions unanswered.
“I’ve yet to see state agencies work very well together, period,” Merricks said. “You can draw up regulations. That’s really not the question. It didn’t answer the what-ifs.”
He added: “At this point in time, I’m not convinced it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Nevertheless, said Merricks, “I can deal with the mining. I think we can regulate that.”
He said that Virginia has extensive experience with mining, but the storage of uranium mine wastes, called tailings, and uranium milling gives him heartburn.
“I just think that’s a risky, risky thing. I have an issue with that.”
Delegate Danny Marshall, R-Danville, says he has spoken with Watkins and disagrees with the senator.
“It doesn’t have to be the way he’s doing it,” Marshall said. “I think it’s backwards, myself. I think there should first be a vote to lift the moratorium.”
He added: “What could happen is that you have a bill drawn saying we will vote on lifting the moratorium and if the moratorium is lifted, regulations will be drawn.”
Marshall said writing regulations will cost several million dollars and take 18 to 24 months.
“Money is always tight in state government,” he said. “What if we write those regulations and don’t lift the moratorium?”
Marshall says he is still plodding through the report, but what he’s read so far doesn’t convince him that lifting the moratorium in the right thing to do.
“Everything’s got a risk. Everything’s got a reward,” he said. “I think the risks are too high for the rewards.”
It will need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the governor for the moratorium to be lifted. If that happens, the process of writing regulations would begin. Those would need to be in place before a permit could be issued. Virginia Uranium would also be required to do one or more environmental impact studies. The public would have input in the regulatory and environmental impacts processes.
Jackson reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
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| Sunday, December 2, 2012
By PAUL COLLINS - Bulletin Staff Writer
The report was issued Friday. In response, Patrick Wales, project manager for Virginia Uranium Inc., stated in a release: “Our company is pleased that the Uranium Working Group Virginia Uranium has lobbied state legislators to get the General Assembly to lift a 30-year moratorium on uranium mining so the company can tap into the 119-million-pound uranium deposit in Pittsylvania County. When asked to supply a list of groups, localities, etc. that have endorsed Virginia Uranium’s proposal, Wales provided a list of positive comments by 15 or so people and a few statements in newspapers saying that decisions should be based on facts and science, not fears and emotions. Olga Kolotushkina, the Dan River Basin Association’s spokeswoman on uranium mining, said the UWG report failed to address the main issue of whether uranium should be mined and processed in Virginia, which is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes. “...The National Academy of Sciences issued a peer-reviewed study that identifies grave risks of allowing uranium mining and processing in Virginia ... and indicating not all risks can be mitigated. This is the issue of livelihood for the downstream communities and the UWG report does not address the issue,” she said. Opposition to lifting the uranium mining ban is growing, Kolotushkina said, noting that 40 localities in Virginia and North Carolina, the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League have expressed opposition. State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Glade Hill, said Friday he had only skimmed the report and will read it in detail. “It sounds like it sets a regulatory framework in broad strokes if the moratorium is lifted,” he said. “Nothing in there is going to convince me” to vote to lift the moratorium, he said. He added he is not convinced that uranium mining and processing can be done 100 percent safely to protect people, livestock, farms and water. State Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, said he had yet read the UWG report. He encourages all people to read the report so they will be informed on the issue, which he expects will come up in the upcoming session of the General Assembly. “It’s not just a Pittsylvania County issue; it really affects the whole state of Virginia,” he said. Marshall said he opposes lifting the moratorium. “Our part of the state needs jobs,” he said. But, “I think the stigma uranium mining would have on the whole region would be a detriment. I think it would hurt us more than help us.” State Del. Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, also said he had not read the report Friday. But, “I’ve still got to be convinced this (lifting the moratorium) is the right thing to do,” he said. Merricks referred to a news media report that state Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, is considering sponsoring legislation directing state agencies to create regulations for uranium mining. That, in effect, would lift the moratorium, Merricks said. If he had to vote on such a bill today, Merricks said he would vote no. “I can live with mining; the milling (processing) gives me a great deal of heartburn,” he said. He added that he is concerned about such things as having to “monitor in perpetuity” and the “high level of risk.” Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Glade Hill, and several local officials also had not yet read the report Friday. Joe Lerch, director of environmental policy for the Virginia Municipal League, estimates, based on figures in the UWG report, it would cost, at least initially, about $20 million more annually for the regulatory system to operate in Virginia. He added that amount might decrease substantially after a baseline of information is established. The report says, “Having permit and license fees (initial and annual) covering the full costs of regulating uranium mining and milling would ensure that the public would not have to bear such costs.” But Lerch wondered what would happen if the price of uranium fluctuated and the uranium company failed and could not reimburse the state for its expenses. http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=35755 |
