Comments: Thanks to Karen and Jesse for the great comments about the letter the uranium dude pushing his own evil agenda, to blow up Virginia for uranium which will ruin our land, air and health! No to u mining and milling!
Comments: Karen
wrote on Jan 6, 2011 9:21 AM:
" Coles: There are multiple errors of fact and nuance in a recent editorial in the Danville Register and Bee concerning the motives of the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) in its independent socio-economic study on uranium mining.
Comment: that Coles neither lists nor elaborates any errors of fact or nuance.
Coles: The Coles Hill uranium deposit is one of the richest and most accessible in the world.
Comment: It is not the "most accessible" unless you take concern for people's health and water quality out of the equation.
Coles: With nuclear power now widely in demand globally and increasingly in the US as a sustainable energy source
Comment: Sustainable?...open to debate ,
Coles: the Coles Hill deposit presents an enormous opportunity to create jobs and economic growth in Southside Virginia while helping America become more energy independent.
Comment: It may also result in fewer jobs in sectors other than mining. Mining and milling may also negatively impact existing agriculture and recruitment and retention of health care professionals.
Coles: The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission is the sole official entity comprehensively and impartially examining the uranium mining issue.
Comment: This is simply not the case. It is Coles' opinion only. The Coal and Energy is not impartial. It has a mandates by the Commonwealth of Virginia to "study all aspects of coal as an energy resource and endeavor to stimulate, encourage, promote, and assist in the development of renewable and alternative energy resources other than petroleum."
Coles: This Commission has turned to the unimpeachable National Academy of Sciences to study the health and safety of uranium mining in Virginia. Virginia Uranium, Inc., owner of the Coles Hill deposit, has supported this NAS study and has contributed the funds to pay for it. In addition, rather than merely assuming the presence of huge economic benefits, the Coal and Energy Commission has arranged for a parallel socio-economic study of the consequences, pro and con, of uranium mining in Pittsylvania County.
Comment: The NAS admitted " ...Mr. Henry Schnell is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because he works for AREVA NC Inc,...saying this conflict is unavoidable. VUI's paying for the NAS study does not add to the credibility of the study. The NAS will not produce data. It will only examine what it is presented. NAS will not determine whether uranium mining and milling can be done "safely" in Virginia. No one, as of yet, has defined "safely."
Assisted by these authoritative independent studies and, depending upon their findings, the General Assembly may consider in 2012 whether to remove the current statutory moratorium and allow an appropriate regulatory program for the mining of uranium to be established in Virginia. Once a state regulatory program is established, both federal and state regulators would administer parts of the process.
Comment: vpap.org lists VUI lobbyist and that for which they lobby. "Matters relating to the establishment of a regulatory program controlling development of Virginia's uranium resources" is what VUI's lobbyist are doing at present. You may not see a bill in this year's GA re: U-mining regulations, but rest assured, regulations are currently being crafted and discussed with legislators. Notice that there is no mention of local government requirements.
Both federal and state permits would be required. And uranium mining and milling could occur only after these extensive regulatory processes conclude and only if permits are issued as a result of those proceedings. It will be a painstaking process with opportunities for careful analysis and public comment at every juncture.
Comment: Permits do not offer protection. The notices may be online and not in local newspapers. The permit hearings for theses permits will likely not be held locally. Notice, no mention of local permits that SHOULD be required.
Coles: This it the thorough, science- and fact-based method by which important economic and environmental issues are addressed every day in America consistent with primary concern for the health and safety of all citizens.
Comment: Like the cigarette smoking debates?
Coles: There are obviously some who have prejudged all this and simply want to frustrate and delay the process.
Comment: Many have not pre-judged but have concluded, from viewing science based studies, that mining and milling at Coles Hill and Virginia cannot be done more safely here than anywhere else and perhaps even less so due to climate, population, hydrology, topography and corrupt politics.
Coles: They substitute speculation for science, obscure facts with fear, and try to confound and delay at every turn.
Comment: That may could be a description of VUI proponents if the word "delay" was replaced with "accelerate".
Coles: Under this familiar approach, the object of the serial studies is not the pursuit of truth but the passage of time.
Comment: The only truth VUI will accept is that which furthers uranium mining.
Coles: What the General Assembly would consider, perhaps in 2012, is whether the Commonwealth should proceed to put in place an appropriate regulatory process governing uranium mining and milling in Virginia. Such an action would be only the start of the lengthy process of determining whether to allow uranium mining and milling at Coles Hill.
Comment: So, we'll have a regulatory process in place in 2012? The NAS study won't even be completed until December 2011...that is if VUI continues to "accelerate" the process. "
Another great comment to rant of this dude:
Jesse Pyrant Andrews
wrote on Jan 6, 2011 9:06 AM:
" Coles' explaning himself (again) is simply more hype to try to keep the public from seeing the truth behind the "study" that he paid for and from which he expects to reap the "regulations" on uranium mining.
After the legislature is convinced to start that process, uranium mining will be a done deal.
The legislature will rush through the process, having been primed for the past three years by VUI's lobbyists feeding them pro-mining propaganda. Coles must think we are all just a bunch of fools. VUI is not concerned about the safety and health of the public.
VUI is concerned about one thing only, PROFIT.
Once the regulations are in place, they will be enforced by the same bunch of bureaucrats that have "regulated" (NOT) the coal mining industry in Southwestern Va. Look at what has happened there, total destruction of the land, the communities, the people' health.
Uranium is poison and even Coles cannot deny that. No amount of regulation will make it not so.
I am not engaging in fear-mongering, I am simply saying that VUI cannot deny the fact that everyone knows that the "study" is merely a ticket to allow uranium mining in Va. Coles has the reciept in his pocket and he expects to get his money's worth.
All the rest of it is just a lot of talk to make people believe that VUI really cares about "the public."
But more and more people are beginning to see through this smoke screen of false altruism.
Why else does Coles feel the need to keep explaining himself and the intentions of his company? I for one would rather hear him just admit the truth. "
Virginia Uranium chairman sets record straight
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 8:45 AM EST
There are multiple errors of fact and nuance in a recent editorial in the Danville Register and Bee concerning the motives of the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) in its "independent" socio-economic study on uranium mining.
To read the rest of the rants go to: (sorry, Ace did not want the uranium dude's on this blog plus the lies!)
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2011/01/06/chatham/opinion/opinion13.txt
