Chatham Star-Tribune
Letter to the Editor
The Virginia Uranium Inc. oligarchy continues to ignore and minimize the negative impacts of uranium mining and milling.
Equally disturbing is this industry's ongoing attempts to erode our civil rights and the legislators who are allowing this travesty.
Their letters speak, in generalities, of nuclear power and avoid mention of the negative impacts of uranium mining and milling on a community, region and state.
The Nuclear Energy Institute has joined the metastasizing Virginia Uranium Inc. supporters.
NEI project manager Suzanne Phelps weighs in with more of the same.
Ms. Phelps likes to "name drop," citing Gov. Kaine, President Obama and former EPA administrator Whitman as supporters of nuclear energy.
Do any of these folks have a uranium mine and mill in their neighborhoods?
She also says the uranium from Coles Hill could fuel Virginia for 65 years.
Phelps portrays VUI as a philanthropic organization regarding yellowcake dispersal.
Somehow I don't see all that yellowcake, or enriched uranium, being warehoused for decades for exclusive use by Virginia.
Phelps further comments, "That potential speaks volumes about the long-term economic opportunities that Pittsylvania County and area residents can derive from mining practices that embrace environmental stewardship and incorporate lessons learned from worldwide experience in this field."
It appears she has the answer to the question we've all been asking. Where are three places in the world, similar to our climate, watersheds and population where mining and milling have been done safely? How many jobs were created?
Perhaps she'll enlighten us in future epistles.
I especially like the "magic" in Phelp's quote: "Nuclear energy is cheap and clean, and we have plenty of it here in America and Virginia."
You dig up some rocks and there's your energy!
She neglects to mention the radioactive/hazardous wastes that are generated and stored for thousands of years as a result of mining, milling and nuclear power generation.
She also omits information regarding the cost of building a reactor and the tax dollars that subsidize, monitor and clean up after the industry.
We do not appreciate cheerleaders for nuclear energy. We crave factual information regarding mining and milling of uranium.
We deserve local and state representative who are bright enough to know the difference.
Karen B. Maute
Danville
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