Uranium study begins this winter; science and rational thought prevail
A National Academy of Sciences study of uranium mining in Virginia will begin this winter and likely take 18 months to complete, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The long-anticipated study will examine the human health, safety and environmental impact of uranium mining and make recommendations to the General Assembly as it considers lifting the 30-year-old moratorium on uranium mining in the Commonwealth.
The study holds enormous implications for Virginia’s movement toward energy independence. The United States currently imports more than 90% of its uranium from foreign countries – including 30%-50% from Russia alone. Even more alarming, Virginia imports 100% of its supply of uranium. Fortunately, the largest undeveloped uranium deposit in the United States is located in Southside Virginia’s Pittsylvania County. The Coles Hill deposit could contain enough uranium to fuel Virginia’s current nuclear demand for 65 years, breaking our severe dependence on foreign countries for our vital nuclear fuel supply.
The Lynchburg News & Advance rejoiced at the news of the study’s launch, saying: “At last, science and rational thought seem to be prevailing in this decades-long dispute.”
In today’s world of constantly rising demand for energy… if the science comes back in support of mining, it ought to be full-speed ahead for the project.”
A study conducted by the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission in the early 1980′s determined that Coles Hill could be mined safely and would pose no detriment to the environment; however, the plummeting price of uranium made the project economically unviable at the time. With a rebound in uranium prices in the last three decades and growing concerns over climate change and America’s dependence on foreign energy, the project has attracted renewed interest. Mining and milling Coles Hill will create as many as 500 new jobs in economically depressed Southside Virginia and generate roughly $13 million each year in local tax revenue.
