Uranium Mining in Virginia:

Should we end the moratorium?

An educational forum hosted by Sustainable Loudoun

and the Piedmont Environmental Council

at George Washington University’s Loudoun Campus

Friday, November 11th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

For 30 years Virginia has had a statewide moratorium on uranium mining. Now, a company called “Virginia Uranium” has asked the general assembly to lift the moratorium so they can begin mining operations in Pittsylvania County.

Sustainable Loudoun believes that all citizens of Virginia should have the opportunity to learn the facts not only about the safety of this uranium mine, but about nuclear power in general as a long term energy source and alternatives to it. Toward this end, we are hosting an educational forum on the topic of uranium mining in Virginia at George Washington University’s Loudoun campus on Friday, November 11th at 7:00 pm.

Speakers will include:

Tony Noerpel (Sustainable Loudoun) on the long term viability of nuclear power

Janette Sherman, MD onFukushima and Chernobyl: Health impacts

Rob Marmet (Piedmont Environmental Council) on impact of surface mining on water supply

Virginia Uranium or Nuclear Energy Institute spokesperson (TBD on uranium mining safety measures and economic benefits.

Will Stewart (Sustainable Loudoun) on alternatives to nuclear power with cost comparisons

The speakers will be followed by a question and answer session with the panelists.

Uranium Mining in Virginia:

Should we end the moratorium?

An educational forum hosted by Sustainable Loudoun

and the Piedmont Environmental Council

at George Washington University’s Loudoun Campus

Friday, November 11th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

For 30 years Virginia has had a statewide moratorium on uranium mining. Now, a company called “Virginia Uranium” has asked the general assembly to lift the moratorium so they can begin mining operations in Pittsylvania County.

The state of Virginia Coal and Energy Commission (VCEC) has commissioned a study by the National Academies of Science to assist Virginia to determine whether uranium mining can be undertaken in a manner that safeguards the environment, natural and historic resources, agricultural lands and the health and well-being of its citizens. In addition, the VCEC commissioned a socioeconomic study on the impacts of uranium mining. Both studies are scheduled for completion prior to the 2012 General Assembly session.

Recent catastrophes such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the recent earthquake in Mineral and the recent record torrential rains from tropical storms Irene and Lee serve as reminders that we must consider many factors when deciding whether to permit potentially risky industries to operate within our state.

Sustainable Loudoun believes that all citizens of Virginia should have the opportunity to learn the facts not only about the safety of this uranium mine, but about nuclear power in general as a long term energy source and alternatives to it. Toward this end, we are hosting an educational forum on the topic of uranium mining in Virginia at George Washington University’s Loudoun campus on Friday, November 11th at 7:00 pm.

Speakers will include:

Tony Noerpel (Sustainable Loudoun)

• The long term viability of nuclear energy given:

• World total uranium reserves

• Nuclear construction costs and subsidies
• Potential for catastrophic failures
• Lack of long term nuclear waste solutions
• Complexity of the uranium mining, processing, enriching supply chain
• Countries which are moving beyond nuclear

Janette Sherman, MD

• Fukushima and Chernobyl: Health impacts

Rob Marmet (Piedmont Environmental Council)

• Legal aspects of the moratorium
• What is at stake.
• Impact of surface mining on water supply and agriculture

Virginia Uranium or Nuclear Energy Institute spokesperson (TBD)

• Uranium mining safety measures and economic benefits.

Will Stewart (Sustainable Loudoun)

• Alternatives to nuclear
• Cost comparison: Nuclear, wind, solar power

The speakers will be followed by a question and answer session with the panelists.

Ashburn Green Expo 2

The Ashburn Farms Green Expo will be held indoors at the Ashburn Farm Communtiy Center located at 21400 Windmill Drive at the intersection of Windmill Drive and Ashburn Farm Parkway. The date is Sunday, October 9th from 12 noon till 4 PM. Join us for vendors, hands on displays, visitor information and education, and the opportunity to purchase products and services from the Vendors in attendance.

Offshore wind development will create more jobs in VA than uranium mining and coal combined

When it comes to energy policy, governor McDonnell says he favors an 'all of the above' approach. That sounds fair and kind of OK if you don't think about it too much. But think about it. Do you do an 'all of the above' strategy in your own life? How about your investments - do you just buy a little of everything? No, hopefully you do some research or have a good financial adviser to tell you where to invest your limited funds to give you the risk/return balance that is best for you. Generally, you'll invest in companies that are growing, not shrinking.

Now which of these would you invest in: an industry that could add 10,000 jobs, a industry that could add 350 jobs, or an industry that is forecast to continue losing jobs? Would you just do 'all of the above'? Would you just invest in the industry that is shrinking? I wouldn't and I don't think my VA tax dollars should either.

If you find yourself in a political conversation, try bringing up the uranium mining ban and be sure to mention the following facts:

• Offshore wind development is estimated to create 10,000 construction and 5,000 permanent jobs in VA.

• The proposed uranium mine? 350 and 325 jobs  respectively.

• There are only 4,394 coal miners left in VA , a number that has dropped more than 50% since 1993.

  So why are we subsidizing coal to the tune of $44.5 million dollars instead of wind? (That's over $10,000 per miner folks) A better use of that money might be to pay for free job training for coal miners to work in the offshore wind industry - heck it could probably pay for relocation as well if necessary. Just a thought.