This Monday-President's Day-come to Richmond and make your voice heard!
Last month, a record-breaking turnout at Conservation Lobby Day helped secure a major victory for Virginia's environment. The General Assembly is on track to pass legislation protecting citizen environmental boards. However, the other major environmental bills heading to the House of Delegates include a sweetheart deal for developers to subsidize sprawl (SB 768) and a flawed study that would open the door to toxic uranium mining in Virginia (SB 525).
Legislators tell us all the time: when constituents come to Richmond they listen. Your Delegate needs to hear from you on these critically important issues.
Where: General Assembly Building's 4 West Conference Room (4th floor)
When: Monday, February 18th at 9 a.m.
What: Join the Virginia Conservation Network for a special "Assembly Update": an up-to-the minute briefing from our experts. Then, take the message to your representatives!
Click here to find your Delegate, then phone ahead to make an appointment between 9:30 a.m. and noon. For more details, phone 804-644-0283 or e-mail vcn@vcnva.org. We'll do our best to pair you with another constituent or Legislative Contact Team member upon request.
Remember: George Washington said "The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments." It's up to us to stand up and make sure special interests don't highjack democracy. If you can't make it to Richmond, you can still take action. Click here to sign up for Conservation e-Action Virginia (CAV) alerts on priority bills and be sure to visit www.vcnva.org for updates.
For More Information: Contact Nathan Lott or Suzanne Ankrum at 804-644-0283 or vcn@vcnva.org
3 comments:
How is it that no one ever comments on this blog? I am a new lurker, and I wonder if you ever offer up any opinions of your own? What is your opinion of the uranium controversy?
Well, Jack, it's a shame there even has to be any controversy. Since everywhere in the US that's had a uranium mine or processing plant has become hideously contaminated, unfit for human (or animal or plant) habitation without significantly higher rates of cancer, birth defects and other illnesses, it would appear that no one in his or her right mind would even consider more uranium mining. But since there are some people who would grow quite rich if the mining moratorium is lifted but be dead of old age, if not from a uranium/radon-related illness, long before the mining ends (if not before it actually begins), there is a short-sightedness that has taken control of their judgment. Those whose judgment remains clear...those who consider the futures of their children, grandchildren, and beyond to be sacred...are morally obligated to continue the effort to inject sanity into the situation and must oppose the mining. Thus the controversy exists. It's sad, don't you think?
We don't inherit the earth, we borrow it from our children. We have a duty to protect them and treat the earth kindly. Those who are the strongest proponents of the mining no longer have children in Southside...or they believe the wealth they'll garner will allow them to buy their children's way out...other people's children be damned. Rather shallow and selfish, don't you think?
Garrett McElveen, Mt. Vernon Illinois
In my opinion, living in a state that was once prosperous due to coal mining, and is now mostly barely making it in the south, I feel that it would be a good idea to look into the idea of mining uranium further. If the profits to the state and the county of Pittsylvania would outweigh the risks of contamination to the public and the miners, then I would say persue the endeavor. If not, then don't. In souther Illinois, we every once in a while hear about the mines possibly being reopened upon the installation of scrubbers in the power plants, but it rarely ever leads to that. I can understand concern, but as has been stated, since the 50's and 60's, technology has greatly improved, and so has knowledge of the effects of uranium and radiation on the populous. I am not condoning an action because I have no knowledge of its effects or its hazards, and not because I am not in an are effected by such a decision, but rather as somebody who can only hear about how our (southern Illinois) economy has been in a downward spiral since the EPA stopped mining operations of high sulpher coal. I don't feel that it should be ignored (the danger), but that if mining is found to be safe and possible, then maybe mining of such a rich vein of uranium should be seriously looked into. My little part of the world was changed by loss of economy, and I hate to see the possibility of prosperity for a county or state and its residents passed up because the fear of money fueling greed in the hearts of men, and thus causing them to no longer care about those around them. If they do mine, it should be done with all precautions in place, and with the public in mind at all times. But if you are worried about the effects of uranium causing illness before the mining begins, then do research into how many people are effected by the existence of the vein in Virginia, and then make a logical decision based on the facts. Fear is irrational, and can often be put off by the truth. If the truth is that it would be a danger, then I understand your point. If not, then why not let them mine it.
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