nuclear-news

No response from Virginia’s Governor about concerns over Uranium Working Group’s credibility

Concerns over Uranium Working Group remain Gazette Virginian, 14 June 12, Two environmental groups opposed to lifting the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia still have not received a satisfactory response from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell concerning their letter raising concerns about the lack of transparency within the Uranium Working Group.

The Uranium Working Group is a state panel appointed to study regulations and safeguards necessary before a 1982 ban on uranium mining could be lifted.

The Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters raised several issues in their Feb. 29 letter to the governor, citing concerns about “lack of transparency, limited public participation and potential lack of experience or conflict of
interest” within the Uranium Working Group. According to a letter to McDonnell written this month, those issues are still outstanding.

The newest letter raises additional concerns, first over the background of consultants hired by the Uranium Working Group, suggesting possible conflict of interest.

Wright Environmental Services, Inc. is a two-year old company with a
very short track record, and “all of its references on its Data Sheet,
supplied with the response to the Request for Proposal, are from the
uranium industry,” the letter argues. “To have an unbiased report
reviewed or developed by a group with an apparent per-disposition does
not inspire confidence,” the letter continued.

The two environmental groups also questioned the exclusion of
environmental advocates as part of the Uranium Working Group while at
the same time dismissing the concerns raised by environmental
groups…….
The current moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia has ignited a
debate that reaches beyond the pastoral setting of Coles Hill, putting
at odds the prospects for economic development and the protection of
future generations from radioactive waste should a man-made or natural
disaster occur at Coles Hill if mining were allowed to take place.
http://www.yourgv.com/index.php/news/local-news/5561-concerns-over-uranium-working-group-remain

June 15, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general, Uranium