Karen Brewer Maute 's Great Comments:
Rautio's ranting "“The ad is shameful and a perfect example of how fear and emotion have overcome science and factual information in this discussion...This is what frustrated Senator Watkins' legislative efforts and frankly insults the intelligence of every thinking Virginian.” that "fear and emotion have overcome science and factual information" is simply not true. The "science", some of which was requested by VUI, made it clear that there will be varying degrees of risk involved if mining, milling and radioactive/hazardous waste disposal if uranium mining occurs in Virginia.
Watkins may be "frustrated" but it was he who fueled the fear factor when he stated, The legislation I proposed effectively restricts uranium mining and milling to the Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County...this reassures those who fear that uranium mining could crop up across the commonwealth."
None of our "thinking Virginians" want a uranium mine near their home.
It is insulting and offensive is that Rautio and Watkins are content to single out one community (us) in Virginia to be the guinea pigs for the negative impacts of uranium mining & milling.
Watkins withdrew his bills then asked the Governor to intervene. It remains to be seen if there will be an end run.
The ad is simply a reminder to the Governor that the "thinking Virginians" have, as individuals, municipalities, organizations and elected officials who represent us said NO to uranium mining in Virginia. His actions should not override the people in order to ingratiate one corporation.
Watkins may be "frustrated" but it was he who fueled the fear factor when he stated, The legislation I proposed effectively restricts uranium mining and milling to the Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County...this reassures those who fear that uranium mining could crop up across the commonwealth."
None of our "thinking Virginians" want a uranium mine near their home.
It is insulting and offensive is that Rautio and Watkins are content to single out one community (us) in Virginia to be the guinea pigs for the negative impacts of uranium mining & milling.
Watkins withdrew his bills then asked the Governor to intervene. It remains to be seen if there will be an end run.
The ad is simply a reminder to the Governor that the "thinking Virginians" have, as individuals, municipalities, organizations and elected officials who represent us said NO to uranium mining in Virginia. His actions should not override the people in order to ingratiate one corporation.
Radio ad urges McDonnell not to authorize uranium mining regulations
REX SPRINGSTON Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:04 pm
Groups opposing uranium mining in Virginia launched a radio ad today asking Gov. Bob McDonnell not to authorize regulations for extracting the radioactive metal.
The ad features the voices of unpaid Virginia residents expressing their concerns about possible pollution from mining. It will run in the Richmond market for a week, a spokesman said.
The ad's sponsors are the Virginia Conservation Network, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, the Roanoke River Basin Association and Foundation Earth.
Mining supporters suffered a major defeat Jan. 31 when Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, withdrew his bill to end Virginia's 31-year ban on mining. Watkins pulled the bill in the face of opposition in a Senate committee.
But Watkins asked McDonnell to direct state agencies to craft uranium-mining regulations, to show the safeguards that would be in place. If McDonnell did that, the General Assembly would need to decide later whether to lift the mining ban.
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said the governor is reviewing Watkins' request.
The ad says McDonnell “is considering an end run -- new rules to enable uranium mining.”
The ad is shameful and a perfect example of how fear and emotion have overcome science and factual information in this discussion...This is what frustrated Senator Watkins' legislative efforts and frankly insults the intelligence of every thinking Virginian.”
Nathan Lott, executive director of the Virginia Conservation Network, called the wording “some semantics for the radio ad…I don't think it's meant to suggest wrongly that the governor has the authority to unilaterally lift the ban.”
http://www.newsadvance.com/go_dan_river/news/pittsylvania_county/article_de2894a8-7607-11e2-8b29-0019bb30f31a.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_161925103957180_442978_161953570621000#f35323d06d6728c
