By TIM DAVIS
Star-Tribune Editor | Posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 10:40 am
BLAIRS — Citing lingering questions and “uncertainties,” Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors voted Tuesday to ask the General Assembly to maintain Virginia’s 30-year moratorium on uranium mining and milling.
The chamber, which represents 700 members, also opposes the development of a permitting program and regulatory framework that would “effectively end the state’s moratorium.”
“The board of directors of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce believes there are still too many questions and uncertainties that could have negative irreversible consequences on our region,” the chamber said in a statement.
“Despite multiple studies and informational forums, there are still significant questions around whether uranium can be mined and milled safely in the commonwealth of Virginia, specifically at the Coles Hill site, without incident or harm to the health, economy, and environment of the surrounding region,” the chamber said.
“While considering possible economic benefits of such an industry, the board still has significant concerns surrounding the potential impact of uranium mining and milling on existing businesses and the region’s ability to attract, retain, and grow jobs.”
Virginia Uranium Inc. hopes to mine a huge uranium deposit about six miles northeast of Chatham.
Discovered in the late 1970s,
Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed a Uranium Working Group last February to study the issue. The group included representatives from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Health.
State and federal officials answered written questions from the audience, but the commission and subcommittee did not allow public comment.
Questions ranged from potential water and air pollution and long-term storage of radioactive waste to safeguards for farming and public health and safety.
Opponents don’t believe uranium can be mined safely and want legislators to impose an outright ban.
“Information, reports, and studies have clearly illustrated the real and potential negative impacts that uranium mining, milling and disposal of radioactive, hazardous wastes will have to the citizens of Virginia and North Carolina,” Piedmont Residents in Defense of the Environment said in a statement.
Andrew Lester, president of the Roanoke River Basin Association, said lifting the moratorium would expose Virginia to a wide range of economic uncertainties and liabilities.
“The UWG report contains absolutely no evidence that the proposed regulatory framework will succeed in protecting Virginia’s public health and welfare, as well as our waterways, from radioactive contamination and other hazards associated with uranium mining, processing and storage of radioactive waste,” Lester said.
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791
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