While I would like nothing more than to believe that
Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe is unequivocal in his opposition
to uranium mining in Virginia until the science proves such an endeavor
safe for Virginians (not for the foreseeable future), we are dealing in
politics, a world where positions can change with the blink of an eye. With this
in mind, it’s concerning to note that at least one member of Gov. McAuliffe’s “transition
team” has ties to Virginia Uranium Inc. (VUI).
As Co-chair of McAuliffe’s Transition Committee, former
Virginia delegate Whitt Clement is situated in an authoritative position steer
Terry McAuliffe in a direction altogether different than the one he announced
shortly following his election on November 5th. Clement was a delegate of the 20th
District from 1988-2002, a district which encompassed Danville and parts of
Pittsylvania County. More alarmingly, Clement is also a former
lobbyist for VUI and the brother-in-law of VUI President and Chief Executive
Officer, Walter Coles Sr.
While this correlation is not a cause for turning McAuliffe’s
veto promise on its head, it is a reminder that until the issue of uranium
mining has been settled once and for all (i.e., uranium mining banned
indefinitely), pro-mining advocates will continue to spin their webs under the
radar of the public’s attention until they achieve their objective.
I cannot imagine that Gov. McAuliffe would so clearly
announce his intent to veto any bill that sought to lift the moratorium on
uranium mining in Virginia until the process was unequivocally proven safe only
to reverse his position months or years later, but in the world of politics,
policy positions can change as quick as the direction of the wind.
For the time being, Gov. McAuliffe should be given a
cautious benefit of the doubt. We did just help elect him, after all.
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