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.
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