nuclear-news

The Virginia Coalition and the Alliance for Progress in Southern Virginia urged the General Assembly Wednesday not to lift the state’s ban this year because it could harm their employees and the ability to attract employees and companies to the region. They were joined by a half-dozen Southside lawmakers including Sens. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville) and Bill Stanley (R-Moneta) and Dels Danny Marshall (R-Danville), Don Merricks (R-Martinsville), James Edmunds (R-Charlotte) and Tommy Wright (R-Amelia).

“We want long-term high paying jobs for all our citizens,’’ Marshall said at a news conference.

Ben Davenport, chairman of First Piedmont Corp. in Chatham, called on Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) to appoint a commission to review a study by the the National Academy of Sciences released in December.

The 22-month review said uranium could be mined, but Virginia Uranium would have to protect workers, the public and the environment in Virginia, which has no experience unearthing radioactive element.

“We are currently reviewing the report from NAS and will have more to say about this subject shortly,’’ McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell said. “The governor’s chief priority when it comes to this issue is ensuring public safety.”…. Groups that oppose mining have said Virginia’s relatively rainy climate could contaminate natural resources, cause cancer or other illnesses and have long-term effects on plants and animals. The Coles Hill area supplies drinking water locally and to parts of Hampton Roads and North Carolina…. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/new-coalition-urges-a-delay-in-uranium-mining-in-virginia/2012/01/18/gIQA5x6Q8P_blog.html