On Thursday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m., the Uranium Subcommittee of the legislature will meet in Richmond to continue discussions about the future of uranium mining in the state. The meeting will be held at the Virginia State Capitol, House Room D.
Background: In the 1980s, uranium leases were filed on thousands of acres of land in Virginia including Fauquier, Orange, Culpeper, and Madison Counties, stretching along the Piedmont to Pittsylvania in Southside Virginia. At that time, the Commonwealth undertook an extensive study of uranium mining. It was costly, time consuming, and divisive.
When it was over, the General Assembly and Governor decided it was in the best interests of the people to maintain a moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia. A new corporation, Virginia Uranium, Inc., is seeking to lift the moratorium. During the 2008 Virginia General Assembly session, legislation (SB 525) was introduced on behalf of Virginia Uranium, Inc. to create a study on the safety of uranium mining in Virginia. The bill included a stipulation requiring a determination of
Although the primary focus on the uranium debate has been on the Coles Hill site in Pittsylvania County, most of Virginia’s population would be impacted by uranium mining, especially areas downstream or downwind of mining sites.
Learn more: Those interested may attend the open meeting, or can visit the Piedmont Environmental Council’s web site at: www.pecva.org
The web site includes maps of where the mining sites are being proposed, and the waterways situated close by.
http://7bends.com/2009/05/06/get-the-facts-uranium-mining-in-virginia/
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