Monday, December 17, 2012

Lt. Gov. Bolling announces his opposition to lifting uranium mining ban in Virginia


If you were wondering where all the principled individuals in politics have gone, Lt. Gov. of Virginia Bill Bolling demonstrated on Friday that principled politicians still exist. At a press conference in Danville, VA on Friday, Lt. Gov. Bolling came out against lifting the ban on uranium mining and milling in Virginia.

Unlike the governor of Virginia, Bolling decided to do what he felt was right by signaling his opposition to uranium mining and milling in Virginia at this time. “After considering all the information that has come before me, I have decided and today I am announcing my opposition to any legislative proposals to life the current ban on uranium mining in Virginia.”[1]

Bolling, speaking for himself, based his decision on three main concerns: the unresolved environmental impact uranium mining could have on Southside Virginia; the effects uranium mining would have on economic development, and perhaps most importantly from a democratic perspective, the negative response he received from residents of Southside Virginia about uranium mining.[2]

Indeed, it is appalling how little weight has been given to the residents and their elected representatives from Southside Virginia, the individuals who stand to gain or lose the most from uranium mining. It is as if the concerns of these residents along with their futures are an afterthought to the supposedly bigger issues of “energy independence” and windfall profits for a select few.

For those of us who are from central and northern Virginia, it’s difficult to fully comprehend the fears that many residents of Southside Virginia have about uranium mining. Their concerns are real, whether or not they are entirely warranted by science.

But this is the rub; science cannot predict with a high enough degree of certainty that nothing catastrophic will occur. Virginia stands as a unique state to mine for uranium given its wetter climate. In fact, it is a case study unlike any other in the world; there are no precedents from which scientists can compare.

Before anyone gives their two cents about whether or not to allow uranium mining to occur in Virginia, ask yourself this, would you want your family to live in an area where uranium mining is taking place? If not, then why would you expect anyone else to?

Bill Bolling’s announcement won’t be the last public officials on this issue. But Bolling’s decision lends tremendous weight to the uncertainties involved with uranium mining in Virginia, a form of risk that outweighs the potential benefits.


[1] http://www.newsadvance.com/go_dan_river/news/pittsylvania_county/article_50cc3032-4615-11e2-a92c-001a4bcf6878.html
[2] http://www.newsadvance.com/go_dan_river/news/pittsylvania_county/article_50cc3032-4615-11e2-a92c-001a4bcf6878.html

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