1/18 a.m. u-news
YES...I know some of you have not called or emailed these Senators yet. I knew without sending out drones !!! It is extremely important that you contact these Senators if you have not yet done so. You could also do a follow-up if you've contacted them previously. I understand the calls, letters and emails are having an impact. We can't let up now.
Undecideds URGENT to call NOW!
The following 7 Senators have been identified as crucial votes on the first committees to hear the uranium bill. If everyone calls these Senators to ask them to oppose uranium mining then we might be able to kill the bill in committee. Please call the Senators and ask to speak to their aide. Tell the aide that you would like the Senator to vote to oppose uranium mining and give them the name of your city, town or county. Then ask if the Senator has a position. If you find out that the Senator has taken a firm decision then report that information to fcm@gamewood.net Please ask your family, friends and network to call these Senators:
Stosch C/L, F 804-698-7512 district12@senate.virginia.gov Hanover County (Part); Henrico County (Part)
Stuart [R] Ag, C/L 804-698-7528 district28@senate.virginia.gov King George County (Part); Prince William County (Part); Spotsylvania County (Part); Stafford County (Part); Westmoreland County (Part)
Wagner [R] F, C/L 804-698-7507 district07@senate.virginia.govNorfolk City (Part); Virginia Beach City (Part)
Norment [R] F C/L 804-698-7503district03@senate.virginia.gov Gloucester County (All); Hampton City (Part); Isle of Wight County (Part); James City County (Part); King and Queen County (All); King William County (All); New Kent County (All); Poquoson City (All); Suffolk City (Part); Surry County (Part); York County (Part)
Martin [R] C/L 804-698-7511district11@senate.virginia.gov Amelia County (All); Chesterfield County (Part); Colonial Heights City (All)
Thank you for protecting our Commonwealth,
Freeda Cathcart
Founder of Mothers United Against Uranium Mining
540-598-7231
Virginia's water at risk
Date published: 1/17/2013
Virginia's water at riskDate published: 1/17/2013
There are reports and recommendations that our legislators will use to decide if lifting the 30-year ban on uranium mining in Virginia is the right thing to do.
Each independent study warns of great risk to people and our water. The sources include key findings from the National Academy of Sciences' "Uranium Mining in Virginia" report and "Degradation of Water Quality and increased Water Competition" by Robert Moran. Despite those scientifically factual reports, Virginia Uranium Inc. has failed to identify the source of the billions of gallons of water needed for its operations. Fresh water, the most important resource for humans, continues to become more scarce with time. Mining operations could take place anywhere in the state. Risk to water supplies alone should override any thought of lifting the ban.
Reports by the Virginia Energy Independence Alliance cite jobs, growth, and tax revenue with subjective numbers. Few risks are mentioned. This special-interest group reportedly has 30 lobbyists. They have been making large political contributions. Temporary jobs will end, but radioactive waste is permanent. Astronomic public costs can result.
Uranium mining doesn't support energy goals of growth and independence because, unlike oil, our country has abundant supplies of enriched uranium. Virginia Uranium Inc. is not proposing to produce nuclear fuel in Virginia. This foreign-backed company will be eligible to sell the uranium on open world markets. Who might that benefit? VUI will certainly realize huge profits.
Because of the potential horrific outcome, our past legislators had the good sense to protect this great state, its water supply, and its residents. The General Assembly should be voting soon. Stop the tragedy before it starts. Today, tell your delegates, representatives, and the governor to Keep The Ban.
John Valvo
Stafford
http://www.rappnews.com/2013/
Is uranium mine scaring people from Southside?
By Alix HinesCapital News Service
RICHMOND – When people come to Southside Virginia, Adam Lynch said, they are looking for nature, clean air, lakes and pretty mountains. Lynch, a Realtor for Prudential Waterfront Properties and consultant for Charles Lynch Construction, said the thought of having a uranium mine in their backyard is driving people away from the area.
“I’m more of a residential Realtor. But on the more commercial side, it may keep people from bringing business into our area just because the negative connotation of what a mine would bring with it,” Lynch said.
Delegate Don Merricks, a Republican from Pittsylvania County, said he has talked to Realtors who are having trouble selling homes because the General Assembly is considering allowing uranium mining there.
That prospect is hurting private schools in the area, too. Merricks said Chatham Hall, a prestigious private school for girls, has noticed parents “shopping around” and putting their children elsewhere because of concerns about the proposed mine.
For the more than 30 years, Virginia has had a moratorium against uranium mining. But lawmakers are considering lifting it to allow the mining of an immense uranium deposit near Coles Hill in Chatham.
The site where the mining, milling and tailings disposal would occur is a 20-minute drive from the girls’ school that houses students from across the country and the globe.
Samantha Parsons, a student at George Mason University and resident of the nearby town of Hurt, said the proximity would deter people from applying to Chatham Hall and Hargrave Military Academy, a private boys’ school.
“Hargrave and Chatham Hall are there, and people from across the country send their students there, and they’re not going to want to do that,” Parsons said. “It [the private schools] definitely helps the economy of Chatham with those students being there and their families coming to visit all the time.”
While Parson fears that uranium mining would hurt the Southside economy,
Many residents of Southside Virginia remain unconvinced.
“It seems like the prices (of uranium) fluctuate dramatically,” Lynch said. “When the mining operations aren’t profitable, they just shut down. There will be some people in the area that make a lot of money out of this, whereas the majority of us, when the prices go down, are going to be stuck with an empty uranium mine.”
Merricks said the state should heed the wishes of local residents: If a clear majority of people oppose lifting the moratorium, Merricks says it should stay in place.
Merricks said as he is about the tailings – the radioactive debris that remains after the uranium has been extracted.
According to federal law, Merricks said, the tailings must remain on the site where the milling occurred. The legislator fears what could happen to the tailings in a climate where hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes are a possibility.
Parsons shares that concern.
“The risk that we are facing in Virginia is that if a tornado comes through, or a hurricane that we’ve been experiencing, something that produces a lot of rain and it seeps into the ground, it will make that radiation leak throughout the ground, and it could contaminate water systems,” Parsons said.
Many residents of Southside Virginia rely on well water. The possibility of water contamination could make home and business buyers think twice about moving to the region, some residents say.
“I wish they would just go ahead and just keep the ban in place so we don’t have to fight over this for a few years,” Lynch said. “I think even exploring their options could hurt us more than it could help us as far as the perception [of Southside] to outside businesses and potential home buyers.”
Legislators such as Sen. John Watkins and Delegate Lee Ware, who represent districts on the outskirts of the Richmond area, are spearheading the drive to lift the moratorium against uranium mining.
“I was going to suggest that since Sen. Watkins from Powhatan and Delegate Ware of Powhatan are so adamant about doing this, why don’t we just haul the ore up there and mill it in Powhatan County?” Merricks said jokingly.
Capital News Service is a student news-gathering program sponsored by the School of Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Each independent study warns of great risk to people and our water. The sources include key findings from the National Academy of Sciences' "Uranium Mining in Virginia" report and "Degradation of Water Quality and increased Water Competition" by Robert Moran. Despite those scientifically factual reports, Virginia Uranium Inc. has failed to identify the source of the billions of gallons of water needed for its operations. Fresh water, the most important resource for humans, continues to become more scarce with time. Mining operations could take place anywhere in the state. Risk to water supplies alone should override any thought of lifting the ban.
Reports by the Virginia Energy Independence Alliance cite jobs, growth, and tax revenue with subjective numbers. Few risks are mentioned. This special-interest group reportedly has 30 lobbyists. They have been making large political contributions. Temporary jobs will end, but radioactive waste is permanent. Astronomic public costs can result.
Uranium mining doesn't support energy goals of growth and independence because, unlike oil, our country has abundant supplies of enriched uranium. Virginia Uranium Inc. is not proposing to produce nuclear fuel in Virginia. This foreign-backed company will be eligible to sell the uranium on open world markets. Who might that benefit? VUI will certainly realize huge profits.
Because of the potential horrific outcome, our past legislators had the good sense to protect this great state, its water supply, and its residents. The General Assembly should be voting soon. Stop the tragedy before it starts. Today, tell your delegates, representatives, and the governor to Keep The Ban.
John Valvo
Stafford
http://www.rappnews.com/2013/
Is uranium mine scaring people from Southside?
By Alix HinesCapital News Service
RICHMOND – When people come to Southside Virginia, Adam Lynch said, they are looking for nature, clean air, lakes and pretty mountains. Lynch, a Realtor for Prudential Waterfront Properties and consultant for Charles Lynch Construction, said the thought of having a uranium mine in their backyard is driving people away from the area.
“I’m more of a residential Realtor. But on the more commercial side, it may keep people from bringing business into our area just because the negative connotation of what a mine would bring with it,” Lynch said.
Delegate Don Merricks, a Republican from Pittsylvania County, said he has talked to Realtors who are having trouble selling homes because the General Assembly is considering allowing uranium mining there.
That prospect is hurting private schools in the area, too. Merricks said Chatham Hall, a prestigious private school for girls, has noticed parents “shopping around” and putting their children elsewhere because of concerns about the proposed mine.
For the more than 30 years, Virginia has had a moratorium against uranium mining. But lawmakers are considering lifting it to allow the mining of an immense uranium deposit near Coles Hill in Chatham.
The site where the mining, milling and tailings disposal would occur is a 20-minute drive from the girls’ school that houses students from across the country and the globe.
Samantha Parsons, a student at George Mason University and resident of the nearby town of Hurt, said the proximity would deter people from applying to Chatham Hall and Hargrave Military Academy, a private boys’ school.
“Hargrave and Chatham Hall are there, and people from across the country send their students there, and they’re not going to want to do that,” Parsons said. “It [the private schools] definitely helps the economy of Chatham with those students being there and their families coming to visit all the time.”
While Parson fears that uranium mining would hurt the Southside economy,
Many residents of Southside Virginia remain unconvinced.
“It seems like the prices (of uranium) fluctuate dramatically,” Lynch said. “When the mining operations aren’t profitable, they just shut down. There will be some people in the area that make a lot of money out of this, whereas the majority of us, when the prices go down, are going to be stuck with an empty uranium mine.”
Merricks said the state should heed the wishes of local residents: If a clear majority of people oppose lifting the moratorium, Merricks says it should stay in place.
Merricks said as he is about the tailings – the radioactive debris that remains after the uranium has been extracted.
According to federal law, Merricks said, the tailings must remain on the site where the milling occurred. The legislator fears what could happen to the tailings in a climate where hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes are a possibility.
Parsons shares that concern.
“The risk that we are facing in Virginia is that if a tornado comes through, or a hurricane that we’ve been experiencing, something that produces a lot of rain and it seeps into the ground, it will make that radiation leak throughout the ground, and it could contaminate water systems,” Parsons said.
Many residents of Southside Virginia rely on well water. The possibility of water contamination could make home and business buyers think twice about moving to the region, some residents say.
“I wish they would just go ahead and just keep the ban in place so we don’t have to fight over this for a few years,” Lynch said. “I think even exploring their options could hurt us more than it could help us as far as the perception [of Southside] to outside businesses and potential home buyers.”
Legislators such as Sen. John Watkins and Delegate Lee Ware, who represent districts on the outskirts of the Richmond area, are spearheading the drive to lift the moratorium against uranium mining.
“I was going to suggest that since Sen. Watkins from Powhatan and Delegate Ware of Powhatan are so adamant about doing this, why don’t we just haul the ore up there and mill it in Powhatan County?” Merricks said jokingly.
Capital News Service is a student news-gathering program sponsored by the School of Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Letters: Outsiders shouldn't lead on uranium issue
I'm new to Virginia and its politics. I am against the planned lifting of the uranium mining moratorium, but my questions are, why are the state senator and delegate pushing this both from out of the area? Why would the moratorium be lifted only for the Coles Hill deposit?
If this is so beneficial to Virginia, why not lift it for the state? Why limit the benefits to folks in Pittsylvania? I'm sure the folks in Manassas would love to get a piece of the action. Lastly, would the honorable Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, and Del. Jackson Miller, R-Manassas, like to live in the vicinity of the mine once production began?
BOB MAKSON
MONETA
http://potomaclocal.com/ click link for full story
BREAKING POLITICAL NEWS — FIRST ON POTOMAC LOCAL NEWS
By URIAH KISER
DALE CITY, Va. – For Jeremy McPike, Virginia’s 31st House District begins and ends at fire station 10.
The district spans the area between Dale City in Prince William County and New Baltimore in Fauquier County, and a fire station 10 lies in each of the respective communities.
And he’s fully against lifting Virginia’s ban on uranium mining.
“Fauquier has one of the largest deposits of uranium in the state. If there was a problem with the mining process or runoff, it would run right into the Occoquan River, right into our drinking water,” said McPike.
BOB MAKSON
MONETA
http://potomaclocal.com/ click link for full story
BREAKING POLITICAL NEWS — FIRST ON POTOMAC LOCAL NEWS
By URIAH KISER
DALE CITY, Va. – For Jeremy McPike, Virginia’s 31st House District begins and ends at fire station 10.
The district spans the area between Dale City in Prince William County and New Baltimore in Fauquier County, and a fire station 10 lies in each of the respective communities.
And he’s fully against lifting Virginia’s ban on uranium mining.
“Fauquier has one of the largest deposits of uranium in the state. If there was a problem with the mining process or runoff, it would run right into the Occoquan River, right into our drinking water,” said McPike.
