2/10 U News -
Comments from KM: Thanks to all of you who continue to defend against VUI's assault on VA. We've come to know that it is not a matter of if mining, milling and radioactive/haz wastes can be managed safely...it is a matter of to what degree this industry will compromise and negatively impact VA's and NC's water quality/quantity, human health and economic development.
Many individuals organizations and municipalities have deserve our thanks. Among them are our local legislators, Mr. Hagerman, Mr. Ecker, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Snead and Mr. Barber of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and Danville City Council for protecting the "home turf".
Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:48 am
Last Thursday, as expected, a bill to move forward with uranium mining regulations came before the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.We had heard that the bill might be stricken (withdrawn) by the patron, Sen. John Watkins.
However, as the Capitol Police called for speakers to enter the hearing room and admitted some of the public (not enough room for all who came to oppose), there was suspicion that the bill might not be stricken.
At almost the last moment, Sen. Watkins made his statement to strike the bill, SB1353.You have to ask yourself, “Why?”
The answer is that it was reported that there were probably only three votes in support from a 15-member committee.
Sen. Watkins then released a long statement on his “disappointment” that there was not enough support, implying that those in opposition were not educated.
A couple of fellow senators, who are not from Southside, spoke boldly and have countered that notion with statements that they have looked at the information and come to the conclusion that they will not support because they are educated about the subject.
Another question is why a senator from Powhatan is so bent on mining and milling uranium in Southside? His district is just west of Richmond and more than 100 miles from our region.
Del. Jackson Miller of Manassas still had HB2330 looming with the same purpose of enabling regulations, which would lift the ban.
As I mentioned last week, Del. Don Merricks and I had asked the chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee to delay hearing Del. Miller’s bill and not bring it forward if the Senate rejected the same bill on their side.
Del. Terry Kilgore kept his word, held the bill, and then did not put it on the docket after the bill on the Senate side failed.
So what happens now? This is crossover. As this newsletter is being written, we have just completed a 12-hour day in session, working to complete final action on House bills that will pass before midnight on Tuesday.
Bills that have passed the House will go to the Senate and bills that passed the Senate will come to the House by Wednesday. Only those bills that passed by midnight Feb. 5 are still alive. So with both major uranium bills behind us, can the ban still be lifted?
The answer is yes – it is still possible. Here are some possibilities:
An amendment added to a House bill on the Senate side;
An amendment added to a Senate bill on the House side;
Or even budget language could start regulations for mining and milling of uranium.
The Southside delegation, Delegates Don Merricks, Tommy Wright, James Edmunds and I, along with Senators Frank Ruff and Bill Stanley, met Friday afternoon to discuss possibilities, so that we could be on the look-out for amendments and legislative language that might come up.
Another possibility that seems unlikely is that the governor could use executive order to allow the writing of regulations. I believe this is not likely because Gov. McDonnell served in the House of Delegates for 14 years before becoming attorney general and then being elected governor.
He was part of the legislative process and has great respect for that. The legislative process has worked and the uranium bills did not pass. Why would the governor, who was a former member of the House of Delegates, circumvent the legislative process for which he has high regard?
Sen. Watkins and others who are pressing for the mining and milling seem to be trying to convince the governor to do that.
Residents of Southside who are worried about our region being changed in a negative way forever may want to let the governor respectfully know how it will affect us and how you feel.
If we get through 2013 and don’t have a bill, you can be sure there will be one in 2014. Patrick Wales, representing Virginia Uranium was quoted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch as saying, the company “will continue to make our case to the people and the legislature for as long as it takes to succeed.”
So, the thousands of dollars to push uranium mining and milling in our community will continue.
We are not sure what Virginia Uranium has up its sleeve, but it will come back. However, the hill should be harder for them to climb in 2014 because the Southside legislators, other General Assembly members, Pittsylvania County, Danville City, Martinsville City, South Boston, Halifax, multiple chambers of commerce, many localities downstream and other major groups from across the state are in opposition to the mining and milling.
We are thankful that they have aligned with us. Monetary gain is never worth risking the health, safety, and reputation of our region and the commonwealth. There are other ways to prosper.
Someone from our area told me that while on a visit to Richmond last weekend to attend a conference, which was not associated with the legislature, he mentioned “Danville.” A person at the table immediately said, “Oh, is that near the uranium mining?”
Is that really what we want as our reputation?
Del. Danny Marshall represents the 14th District, which includes Danville and the southern part of Pittsylvania County.
Excerpt from Sen. Stanley's column: http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
I am sure by now that you have either heard or read that the moratorium on uranium mining remains in effect. The sponsor of the legislation pulled the bill during a meeting of the full Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. The bill would have ended the ban on mining at the Coles Hill site.
My position on uranium mining has not changed: I have not been in favor of lifting the ban and exposing our citizens to the possibilities of water and soil contamination, particularly for the farmers whose farms are in the immediate mining area. Until such time that this type of mining can be proven to be 100 percent safe, I will continue to object to lifting the ban.
Excerpt from Del. Merrick's column:
http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
With regard to uranium mining and milling, the bill that was before the Senate Agriculture Committee last Thursday was struck by the patron. There are still avenues in which the concept can be revived; however, this particular bill is no longer in contention this session.
The question of whether or not to lift Virginia’s long-standing ban on mining and milling uranium has been very divisive going back to the mid 80s. I was elected to the General Assembly in 2007.
I am the only General Assembly House of Delegates representative with a uranium site ready to be mined and milled should the ban be lifted.
From the beginning of this cycle to lift the ban, I have carried a heavy burden to do the right thing, first and most importantly for my district, second for my state and third for my country.
I feel this is one of the most important decisions I will make as a state legislator and I pray often I will do the right thing, not the political thing or the party thing, but the right thing. The issue is too great with the potential for great reward or serious consequences.
That is why I have worked diligently to listen and learn with an open mind. I have heard from proponents and opponents on this issue who deliver their views with great commitment to their beliefs.
I have read studies and reports, reviewed facts and spoken with experts on the pros and cons of mining and milling uranium. Through this process I am now able to frame both sides as I see them.
On the one hand, the proponents of mining and milling site the dire need for jobs and the tax revenue boost this industry will provide for our county, a much-needed boost I might add.
In addition, I have heard the argument that this country needs a cleaner, more reliable source of energy and nuclear energy will provide that source. Uranium mined at Coles Hill would provide the fuel to power these reactors and provide clean energy to our citizens.
On the other hand, the opponents site several issues that should conclude this is a bad idea. These include: health and safety of the citizens; environmental contamination;
unanswered questions relating to mining and the costs to be borne by the commonwealth, not only in the mining phase, but in years and years to come to maintain a hazardous waste site; the stigma of mining that will attach to our community should the ban be lifted; the low grade of uranium on this site, and several others.
With that said, I have come to several conclusions. There is no question in my mind that uranium mining and milling will provide the potential for health risks and environmental contamination.
Even with the world’s best practices in place and the most stringent regulations, the potential for contamination still exists.
I could live with the mining part, provided plans were in place to make whole any surrounding water wells and properties that are adversely affected by such mining.
I believe the experience the commonwealth has amassed over the years with the mining industry will provide the necessary rules and regulations to follow if mining were allowed.
However, it’s the milling part of the process that gives me great pause and reservation. Again, I have read the reports and spoken with experts in this field.
After all is said and done, I do not like putting this burden of containment and years of supervision on the taxpayers of the commonwealth. We are talking about maintaining, in reality, a “Superfund” waste site forever.
Forever is a long time, and, quite frankly I do not believe there are enough bonds floating around that would provide the necessary assurances to our citizens in case of a breach.
There just are too many unanswered questions that still exist in my mind. There is no doubt that regulations can be written and implemented to regulate this industry, but the regulations themselves do not eliminate the risks that are present.
From the very onset of this discussion, I have repeatedly stated that I need to be convinced that mining and milling are the right things to do. I have friends on both sides of this issue. Whatever decision I make, I will most certainly make someone mad.
As of today, I am not convinced that science has caught up with the proposed tailings management plan being suggested by Virginia Uranium. One day it may, but today, I just don’t believe it’s there.
If we can put a man on the moon and Curiosity on Mars, then we should be able to develop a way to isolate the harmful effects of mining and milling uranium. One day, that may happen, but today, I’m not convinced it’s the right thing to do.
Excerpt from Sen. Ruff's column:
http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
Much time and energy came in preparation of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday that had planned a public hearing on fox pens and uranium.
Opponents of the mining and storage of uranium waste clearly had the upper hand by Thursday morning; therefore, that bill was stricken to avoid a vote in which 11 or 12 of the 15 on the committee were opposed.
At almost the last moment, Sen. Watkins made his statement to strike the bill, SB1353.You have to ask yourself, “Why?”
The answer is that it was reported that there were probably only three votes in support from a 15-member committee.
Sen. Watkins then released a long statement on his “disappointment” that there was not enough support, implying that those in opposition were not educated.
A couple of fellow senators, who are not from Southside, spoke boldly and have countered that notion with statements that they have looked at the information and come to the conclusion that they will not support because they are educated about the subject.
Another question is why a senator from Powhatan is so bent on mining and milling uranium in Southside? His district is just west of Richmond and more than 100 miles from our region.
Del. Jackson Miller of Manassas still had HB2330 looming with the same purpose of enabling regulations, which would lift the ban.
As I mentioned last week, Del. Don Merricks and I had asked the chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee to delay hearing Del. Miller’s bill and not bring it forward if the Senate rejected the same bill on their side.
Del. Terry Kilgore kept his word, held the bill, and then did not put it on the docket after the bill on the Senate side failed.
So what happens now? This is crossover. As this newsletter is being written, we have just completed a 12-hour day in session, working to complete final action on House bills that will pass before midnight on Tuesday.
Bills that have passed the House will go to the Senate and bills that passed the Senate will come to the House by Wednesday. Only those bills that passed by midnight Feb. 5 are still alive. So with both major uranium bills behind us, can the ban still be lifted?
The answer is yes – it is still possible. Here are some possibilities:
An amendment added to a House bill on the Senate side;
An amendment added to a Senate bill on the House side;
Or even budget language could start regulations for mining and milling of uranium.
The Southside delegation, Delegates Don Merricks, Tommy Wright, James Edmunds and I, along with Senators Frank Ruff and Bill Stanley, met Friday afternoon to discuss possibilities, so that we could be on the look-out for amendments and legislative language that might come up.
Another possibility that seems unlikely is that the governor could use executive order to allow the writing of regulations. I believe this is not likely because Gov. McDonnell served in the House of Delegates for 14 years before becoming attorney general and then being elected governor.
He was part of the legislative process and has great respect for that. The legislative process has worked and the uranium bills did not pass. Why would the governor, who was a former member of the House of Delegates, circumvent the legislative process for which he has high regard?
Sen. Watkins and others who are pressing for the mining and milling seem to be trying to convince the governor to do that.
Residents of Southside who are worried about our region being changed in a negative way forever may want to let the governor respectfully know how it will affect us and how you feel.
If we get through 2013 and don’t have a bill, you can be sure there will be one in 2014. Patrick Wales, representing Virginia Uranium was quoted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch as saying, the company “will continue to make our case to the people and the legislature for as long as it takes to succeed.”
So, the thousands of dollars to push uranium mining and milling in our community will continue.
We are not sure what Virginia Uranium has up its sleeve, but it will come back. However, the hill should be harder for them to climb in 2014 because the Southside legislators, other General Assembly members, Pittsylvania County, Danville City, Martinsville City, South Boston, Halifax, multiple chambers of commerce, many localities downstream and other major groups from across the state are in opposition to the mining and milling.
We are thankful that they have aligned with us. Monetary gain is never worth risking the health, safety, and reputation of our region and the commonwealth. There are other ways to prosper.
Someone from our area told me that while on a visit to Richmond last weekend to attend a conference, which was not associated with the legislature, he mentioned “Danville.” A person at the table immediately said, “Oh, is that near the uranium mining?”
Is that really what we want as our reputation?
Del. Danny Marshall represents the 14th District, which includes Danville and the southern part of Pittsylvania County.
Excerpt from Sen. Stanley's column: http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
I am sure by now that you have either heard or read that the moratorium on uranium mining remains in effect. The sponsor of the legislation pulled the bill during a meeting of the full Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. The bill would have ended the ban on mining at the Coles Hill site.
My position on uranium mining has not changed: I have not been in favor of lifting the ban and exposing our citizens to the possibilities of water and soil contamination, particularly for the farmers whose farms are in the immediate mining area. Until such time that this type of mining can be proven to be 100 percent safe, I will continue to object to lifting the ban.
Excerpt from Del. Merrick's column:
http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
With regard to uranium mining and milling, the bill that was before the Senate Agriculture Committee last Thursday was struck by the patron. There are still avenues in which the concept can be revived; however, this particular bill is no longer in contention this session.
The question of whether or not to lift Virginia’s long-standing ban on mining and milling uranium has been very divisive going back to the mid 80s. I was elected to the General Assembly in 2007.
I am the only General Assembly House of Delegates representative with a uranium site ready to be mined and milled should the ban be lifted.
From the beginning of this cycle to lift the ban, I have carried a heavy burden to do the right thing, first and most importantly for my district, second for my state and third for my country.
I feel this is one of the most important decisions I will make as a state legislator and I pray often I will do the right thing, not the political thing or the party thing, but the right thing. The issue is too great with the potential for great reward or serious consequences.
That is why I have worked diligently to listen and learn with an open mind. I have heard from proponents and opponents on this issue who deliver their views with great commitment to their beliefs.
I have read studies and reports, reviewed facts and spoken with experts on the pros and cons of mining and milling uranium. Through this process I am now able to frame both sides as I see them.
On the one hand, the proponents of mining and milling site the dire need for jobs and the tax revenue boost this industry will provide for our county, a much-needed boost I might add.
In addition, I have heard the argument that this country needs a cleaner, more reliable source of energy and nuclear energy will provide that source. Uranium mined at Coles Hill would provide the fuel to power these reactors and provide clean energy to our citizens.
On the other hand, the opponents site several issues that should conclude this is a bad idea. These include: health and safety of the citizens; environmental contamination;
unanswered questions relating to mining and the costs to be borne by the commonwealth, not only in the mining phase, but in years and years to come to maintain a hazardous waste site; the stigma of mining that will attach to our community should the ban be lifted; the low grade of uranium on this site, and several others.
With that said, I have come to several conclusions. There is no question in my mind that uranium mining and milling will provide the potential for health risks and environmental contamination.
Even with the world’s best practices in place and the most stringent regulations, the potential for contamination still exists.
I could live with the mining part, provided plans were in place to make whole any surrounding water wells and properties that are adversely affected by such mining.
I believe the experience the commonwealth has amassed over the years with the mining industry will provide the necessary rules and regulations to follow if mining were allowed.
However, it’s the milling part of the process that gives me great pause and reservation. Again, I have read the reports and spoken with experts in this field.
After all is said and done, I do not like putting this burden of containment and years of supervision on the taxpayers of the commonwealth. We are talking about maintaining, in reality, a “Superfund” waste site forever.
Forever is a long time, and, quite frankly I do not believe there are enough bonds floating around that would provide the necessary assurances to our citizens in case of a breach.
There just are too many unanswered questions that still exist in my mind. There is no doubt that regulations can be written and implemented to regulate this industry, but the regulations themselves do not eliminate the risks that are present.
From the very onset of this discussion, I have repeatedly stated that I need to be convinced that mining and milling are the right things to do. I have friends on both sides of this issue. Whatever decision I make, I will most certainly make someone mad.
As of today, I am not convinced that science has caught up with the proposed tailings management plan being suggested by Virginia Uranium. One day it may, but today, I just don’t believe it’s there.
If we can put a man on the moon and Curiosity on Mars, then we should be able to develop a way to isolate the harmful effects of mining and milling uranium. One day, that may happen, but today, I’m not convinced it’s the right thing to do.
Excerpt from Sen. Ruff's column:
http://www.wpcva.com/opinion/
Much time and energy came in preparation of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday that had planned a public hearing on fox pens and uranium.
Opponents of the mining and storage of uranium waste clearly had the upper hand by Thursday morning; therefore, that bill was stricken to avoid a vote in which 11 or 12 of the 15 on the committee were opposed.
http://www.examiner.com/
Six GOP legislators from Southside Virginia ask Gov. McDonnell to retain u. ban
February 10, 2013
By: Daniel Carawan
In yet ANOTHER call by elected representatives from Southside Virginia, 6 Republican legislators wrote Gov. McDonnell urging him to keep the moratorium on uranium mining in the commonwealth in place.
Following the defeat of Sen. John Watkin’s (R-Powhatan) attempt to lift the uranium mining moratorium in Virginia[1], the legislator from Powhatan requested the governor use his power to force relevant state agencies to begin drafting uranium mining regulations anyways. Someone got to tell Watkins that the will of the people overrides his own.
For Watkins, Virginia’s deposit or uranium ore is a “blessing,” and failing to dig it all up and consume it “is to bury our heads in the sand along with the Nation’s most valuable uranium deposit.”[2] Yes, it is quite valuable! But is it safe, I mean unequivocally safe? No!
The senators from the Southside who wrote McDonnell with their concerns are as follows: Del. Tommy Wright[3] of Lunenberg County; Del. Danny Marshall[4] of Danville; Del. Don Merricks[5] of Pittsylvania County; Sen. Bill Stanley[6] of Franklin County; Sen. Frank Ruff[7] of Mecklenburg County; and Del. James Edmunds[8] of Halifax County.
Unfortunately, there is cause to be concerned that Gov. McDonnell is seriously considered pushing relevant state agencies to begin drafting uranium mining regulations.
HB 1790[9], which will establish the so-called Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority, appears to be the perfect vehicle for undermining the democratic process
According to the Daily Progress, the VNECA “would be exempted from a whole raft of laws that are designed to protect the public — the Freedom of Information Act, as well as provisions of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, Investment of Public Funds Act, Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, Public Procurement Act.”[10]
That’s right, folks, it looks like McDonnell and his uranium mining supporting backers have pulled the old smoke-screen political trick.
Give the public something to focus on while another gem is slipped through the legislature that achieves the same goal. Multiple fronts are used but only one gets the public’s attention. I’m almost tempted to tip my hat to them for their incredible duplicity.
But both sides should know by now that neither side will relent, not anytime soon.
Just as there is a lot of money on the line, there are also the lives of thousands of Virginians at stake.
Big deal, right?!
And so the battle for a clean environment and untarnished human health continues…
Six GOP legislators from Southside Virginia ask Gov. McDonnell to retain u. ban
In yet ANOTHER call by elected representatives from Southside Virginia, 6 Republican legislators wrote Gov. McDonnell urging him to keep the moratorium on uranium mining in the commonwealth in place.
Following the defeat of Sen. John Watkin’s (R-Powhatan) attempt to lift the uranium mining moratorium in Virginia[1], the legislator from Powhatan requested the governor use his power to force relevant state agencies to begin drafting uranium mining regulations anyways. Someone got to tell Watkins that the will of the people overrides his own.
For Watkins, Virginia’s deposit or uranium ore is a “blessing,” and failing to dig it all up and consume it “is to bury our heads in the sand along with the Nation’s most valuable uranium deposit.”[2] Yes, it is quite valuable! But is it safe, I mean unequivocally safe? No!
The senators from the Southside who wrote McDonnell with their concerns are as follows: Del. Tommy Wright[3] of Lunenberg County; Del. Danny Marshall[4] of Danville; Del. Don Merricks[5] of Pittsylvania County; Sen. Bill Stanley[6] of Franklin County; Sen. Frank Ruff[7] of Mecklenburg County; and Del. James Edmunds[8] of Halifax County.
Unfortunately, there is cause to be concerned that Gov. McDonnell is seriously considered pushing relevant state agencies to begin drafting uranium mining regulations.
HB 1790[9], which will establish the so-called Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority, appears to be the perfect vehicle for undermining the democratic process
According to the Daily Progress, the VNECA “would be exempted from a whole raft of laws that are designed to protect the public — the Freedom of Information Act, as well as provisions of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, Investment of Public Funds Act, Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, Public Procurement Act.”[10]
That’s right, folks, it looks like McDonnell and his uranium mining supporting backers have pulled the old smoke-screen political trick.
Give the public something to focus on while another gem is slipped through the legislature that achieves the same goal. Multiple fronts are used but only one gets the public’s attention. I’m almost tempted to tip my hat to them for their incredible duplicity.
But both sides should know by now that neither side will relent, not anytime soon.
Just as there is a lot of money on the line, there are also the lives of thousands of Virginians at stake.
Big deal, right?!
And so the battle for a clean environment and untarnished human health continues…
1] http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=131&typ=bil&val=sb1353
[2] http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/dont-move-ahead-uranium-southside-legisl...
[3] http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a2f5951900d28c0d8525738a00664b7...$Body/0.1A96
[4] http://dannymarshall.com/
[5] http://www.donmerricks.org/
[6] http://senatorbillstanley.com/
[7] http://www.frankmruff.com/
[8] http://www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com/
[9] http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=131&typ=bil&val=hb1790
[10] http://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/editorials/article_bd7a0d08-706d-11...
[2] http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/dont-move-ahead-uranium-southside-legisl...
[3] http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a2f5951900d28c0d8525738a00664b7...$Body/0.1A96
[4] http://dannymarshall.com/
[5] http://www.donmerricks.org/
[6] http://senatorbillstanley.com/
[7] http://www.frankmruff.com/
[8] http://www.friendsofjamesedmunds.com/
[9] http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=131&typ=bil&val=hb1790
[10] http://www.dailyprogress.com/opinion/editorials/article_bd7a0d08-706d-11...
Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 5:15 am
Senator kills uranium mining billTim Davis/Womack Publishing News ServiceChatham Star Tribune
State Sen. John Watkins withdrew a proposed bill Thursday that would have paved the way for regulations and a vote to end Virginia’s 31-year moratorium on uranium mining, but called on Gov. Bob McDonnell to direct state agencies to move forward on drafting a permitting process anyway.
Watkins pulled Senate Bill 1353 from the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, where it faced almost certain doom.
“This legislature is not ready to vote up or down on lifting the moratorium,” he said. “I have heard that from many members. They say they want to see the process continue to move forward, but they have heard from opponents that there are still too many unanswered questions to act now on the moratorium.”
A member of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy, which had recommended lifting the ban, Watkins said he just couldn’t convince some lawmakers uranium could be mined safely.
“The emotion and fear that some have inspired on this subject have, for now at least, overcome the science and the engineering that we have worked so hard in Virginia to elevate in our educational systems and in our research facilities,” the Chesterfield County Republican said.
“It is frustrating as well that there is a lack of understanding regarding the world marketplace and the availability of uranium for use as nuclear fuel,” Watkins said. “Undeniably, nuclear power production is the cleanest system that we have developed to date that is capable of producing energy at a scale that not only is needed in Virginia, but certainly across our nation.”
According to the senator, nuclear power is vital for America’s and Virginia’s future, yet few seem to understand the United States depends on foreign suppliers for more than 90 percent of its uranium.
“Our politics have become so dysfunctional that we have managed to take an energy-rich America and turn it into an energy-dependent America,” Watkins said. “It’s killing our country’s future.”
Watkins said uranium mining is not going away.
“It is not going away because the Coles Hill uranium deposit is a unique natural asset and a great blessing and benefit,” he said. “It is not going away because it is not good stewardship to leave a God-given natural asset worth $7 billion buried in the ground while our American economy suffers.”
Watkins urged the governor to let state agencies draft the regulations under the Administrative Process Act.
Discovered in the late 1970s, the Coles Hill uranium deposit, about six miles east of Chatham,
The state looked at uranium mining in the early 1980s, but never developed regulations.
After the price of uranium declined, the Coles Hill project was abandoned, but not forgotten.
The two families that own the deposit and investors formed Virginia Uranium Inc. in 2007.
Company spokesman Patrick Wales said Virginia Uranium remains firmly committed to the safe development of the Coles Hill deposit.
Wales said moving forward with regulations would answer many of the remaining questions about uranium mining and “foster comfort with this promising industry and confidence in its safety. We hope the governor will give Sen. Watkins’ request due consideration.”
Southside legislators Sen. Frank Ruff, Sen. Bill Stanley, Del. Don Merricks, Del. Danny Marshall, Del. James Edmunds and Del. Tommy Wright said the decision to withdraw the bill was good news for the region, but warned that the fight is not over.
“Our Senate and House districts are ground zero for the uranium mining and milling debate. We know from firsthand experience that this divisive issue has pitted community against community, neighbor against neighbor and even family member against family member,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
Marshall, who represents Danville and the southern part of Pittsylvania County, advised opponents to remain vigilant.
“It’s not over yet and it still could happen,” he said. “It could happen on the House side. It could happen in the budget. It could happen with an amendment to a bill that is sent to us. It’s not over.”
Del. Jackson Miller, a Republican from Manassas, introduced a companion uranium bill in the House of Delegates.
“We won this battle, but there will be others,” said Ruff, a Republican senator from Clarksville. “I’m not declaring the war over. There could be an attempt to circumvent the General Assembly completely. That’s not acceptable.”
Marshall agreed.
“This is going to go for a long time,” he said. “We know that Virginia Uranium is going to come back next year. But I think that they also have to think that a lot of air was just let out of their bubble.”
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Marshall Ecker was pleased the uranium mining bill was withdrawn.
“We got a reprieve for awhile,” Ecker said, “ but now they are trying to circumvent legislators and go to the governor. That’s disappointing. It doesn’t seem like they are listening to the people.”
Supervisors adopted a last-minute resolution in January asking lawmakers to keep the state’s moratorium on uranium mining.
2/9 p.m. good one!
Watkins pulled Senate Bill 1353 from the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, where it faced almost certain doom.
“This legislature is not ready to vote up or down on lifting the moratorium,” he said. “I have heard that from many members. They say they want to see the process continue to move forward, but they have heard from opponents that there are still too many unanswered questions to act now on the moratorium.”
A member of the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy, which had recommended lifting the ban, Watkins said he just couldn’t convince some lawmakers uranium could be mined safely.
“The emotion and fear that some have inspired on this subject have, for now at least, overcome the science and the engineering that we have worked so hard in Virginia to elevate in our educational systems and in our research facilities,” the Chesterfield County Republican said.
“It is frustrating as well that there is a lack of understanding regarding the world marketplace and the availability of uranium for use as nuclear fuel,” Watkins said. “Undeniably, nuclear power production is the cleanest system that we have developed to date that is capable of producing energy at a scale that not only is needed in Virginia, but certainly across our nation.”
According to the senator, nuclear power is vital for America’s and Virginia’s future, yet few seem to understand the United States depends on foreign suppliers for more than 90 percent of its uranium.
“Our politics have become so dysfunctional that we have managed to take an energy-rich America and turn it into an energy-dependent America,” Watkins said. “It’s killing our country’s future.”
Watkins said uranium mining is not going away.
“It is not going away because the Coles Hill uranium deposit is a unique natural asset and a great blessing and benefit,” he said. “It is not going away because it is not good stewardship to leave a God-given natural asset worth $7 billion buried in the ground while our American economy suffers.”
Watkins urged the governor to let state agencies draft the regulations under the Administrative Process Act.
Discovered in the late 1970s, the Coles Hill uranium deposit, about six miles east of Chatham,
The state looked at uranium mining in the early 1980s, but never developed regulations.
After the price of uranium declined, the Coles Hill project was abandoned, but not forgotten.
The two families that own the deposit and investors formed Virginia Uranium Inc. in 2007.
Company spokesman Patrick Wales said Virginia Uranium remains firmly committed to the safe development of the Coles Hill deposit.
Wales said moving forward with regulations would answer many of the remaining questions about uranium mining and “foster comfort with this promising industry and confidence in its safety. We hope the governor will give Sen. Watkins’ request due consideration.”
Southside legislators Sen. Frank Ruff, Sen. Bill Stanley, Del. Don Merricks, Del. Danny Marshall, Del. James Edmunds and Del. Tommy Wright said the decision to withdraw the bill was good news for the region, but warned that the fight is not over.
“Our Senate and House districts are ground zero for the uranium mining and milling debate. We know from firsthand experience that this divisive issue has pitted community against community, neighbor against neighbor and even family member against family member,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
Marshall, who represents Danville and the southern part of Pittsylvania County, advised opponents to remain vigilant.
“It’s not over yet and it still could happen,” he said. “It could happen on the House side. It could happen in the budget. It could happen with an amendment to a bill that is sent to us. It’s not over.”
Del. Jackson Miller, a Republican from Manassas, introduced a companion uranium bill in the House of Delegates.
“We won this battle, but there will be others,” said Ruff, a Republican senator from Clarksville. “I’m not declaring the war over. There could be an attempt to circumvent the General Assembly completely. That’s not acceptable.”
Marshall agreed.
“This is going to go for a long time,” he said. “We know that Virginia Uranium is going to come back next year. But I think that they also have to think that a lot of air was just let out of their bubble.”
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Marshall Ecker was pleased the uranium mining bill was withdrawn.
“We got a reprieve for awhile,” Ecker said, “ but now they are trying to circumvent legislators and go to the governor. That’s disappointing. It doesn’t seem like they are listening to the people.”
Supervisors adopted a last-minute resolution in January asking lawmakers to keep the state’s moratorium on uranium mining.
2/9 p.m. good one!
click link to read in it's entirety.
Virginia Issues & Answers | Winter 2012-13 www.via.vt.edu 29 Winter 2012-13 | Virginia Issues & Answers
Introduction:
To address the issue of uranium mining and milling in the commonwealth, Virginia Issues
& Answers invited four individuals—some for mining, some against, and some neutral—to
respond to a series of identical questions. Independently of each other, and without reading
others’responses, the four submitted written replies, which we have edited for length
and clarity and to avoid duplication.
What is the current status of uranium mining in
Virginia?
Contributors are:
Robert J. Bodnar, University Distinguished Professor
and the C.C. Garvin Professor of Geochemistry
in the Department of Geosciences in the College
of Science at Virginia Tech, is internationally recognized
as a leader in the study of mineral deposits. His
research focuses on the formation of and exploration
for economically important mineral deposits of
copper, gold, lead, zinc, silver, and uranium, as well as
petroleum and natural gas.
Andrew Lester, executive director of the Roanoke
River Basin Association, a nonprofi t organization
devoted to preserving and enhancing the basin’s
resources, is a vocal opponent of uranium mining
and milling in Virginia.
Paul A. Locke, an environmental health scientist
and attorney, is an associate professor at the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the
Department of Environmental Health Sciences. From
2010 to 2012, he chaired the National Academy of
Sciences/National Research Council committee that
wrote“Uranium Mining in Virginia: Scientifi c, Technical,
Environmental, Human Health and Safety, and
Regulatory Aspects of Uranium Mining and Processing
in Virginia.”
Patrick Wales is the project manager for Virginia
Uranium inc., the Chatham, Va.-based company seeking
to develop the Coles Hill uranium deposit. Wales
was raised in Danville, Va., where he now resides with
his family. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology
from Radford University and a master’s degree in
geology from the University of Mississippi.
Allow about an hour and 20 minutes to watch the panel discussion.
Comments: The nuke girl (has liberal art degree) really call Governor McDonnell an idiot? Lt. Gov. Bolling too? (and she calls us hysterical?) The nuke girl hates everyone...amazing. Coles thinks those wishing to keep the ban have ulterior motives of trying to keep area residents from getting good paying jobs? These two need counselling. I respect Dr. Seal's delivery even though some of his comments were disputable. He had the dignity to look sheepish with some of his comments. It would be interesting to question him about some of those statements.
Will you sign this petition?
Hi,
Thousands of people and downstream communities like mine, whose drinking water and environment would be at risk of radioactive poisoning, have spoken, and the General Assembly acted to keep the ban in place. For you to even consider flaunting the will of the people by "instruct(ing) state agencies to draft possible mining regulations anyway," is an affront to democratic principles and makes a mockery of your role as a public servant of the people not corporations.
So I created a petition to The Virginia State House, The Virginia State Senate, and Governor Bob McDonnell, which says:
Gov. McDonnell, we the people of Virginia, including 130 governmental entities and private groups representing millions of people, have spoken and the General Assembly has wisely listened and kept the the ban on uranium mining; therefore, we call on you as a sworn public servant to honor your oath and reject any consideration of ordering state agencies to draft uranium mining regulations that defy the will of the people.
Will you sign this petition? Click here:
Thanks!
–Joe Cook
Comments From an elist member:
It seems the calls to the Governors office are showing us a more realistic reflection of the will of the people. 894 +171 = 1065. 894 divided by 1065 equals approximately 83.94 percent! Therefore, among the people who are motivated to make a call, more than 4 out of every 5 do not want the project to proceed. Those not motivated to make a call do not yet have any voice in this. I am guessing that they will eventually raise their voices Meanwhile, I find that 83.94 % figure somewhat reassuring.
Yet, Mr. Wales will keep coming back until he and his backers run out of money. He already said this issue will not go away. Guess what Mr. Wales - four out five respondents across a total of nearly 8 million Va. residents calculates to about 6,400 000 humans. Nearly 6 and a half million people are not going to go away, either!. Each time VUI, the darling Senator from Chesterfield, and their cohorts delay - the number of people opposed to the project increases! So, we can actually hope they keep stalling over there in Richmond. As their stalling goes on longer, the opposition grows ever stronger!
Yet, Mr. Wales will keep coming back until he and his backers run out of money. He already said this issue will not go away. Guess what Mr. Wales - four out five respondents across a total of nearly 8 million Va. residents calculates to about 6,400 000 humans. Nearly 6 and a half million people are not going to go away, either!. Each time VUI, the darling Senator from Chesterfield, and their cohorts delay - the number of people opposed to the project increases! So, we can actually hope they keep stalling over there in Richmond. As their stalling goes on longer, the opposition grows ever stronger!
This much we can do. Keep the Faith!
