Del. Terry Kilgore said Tuesday that the Coal and Energy Commission will meet early next month to propose and adopt a study on uranium in Virginia.
The 20-member commission, which Kilgore chairs, will meet Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Building in Richmond.
According to Kilgore, the proposed study will include a "close examination of all important aspects of uranium development" as they would be applied in Virginia.
"The need for independent American sources of energy is a matter of national security and economic prosperity," said Kilgore, who lives in Gate City.
"We know that Virginia has a significant, high-quality uranium deposit, and as Virginians and Americans, we have a responsibility to study the feasibility of mining it safely," he added.
Kilgore noted that the Coal and Energy Commission conducted a similar study on uranium mining in 1980s.
He said the commission deals regularly with mining issues and is the commonwealth's "repository of mining expertise and the right entity to conduct this study."
Kilgore said the commission will work the "affected locality and surrounding areas" to develop guidelines for the study.
Pittsylvania County is home to what is believed to be the largest uranium deposit in the United States.
Marline Uranium Corp. discovered the Coles Hill deposit about six miles northeast of Chatham in the early 1980s.
Two years ago, Walter Coles, who owns the land and a majority of the ore, formed Virginia Uranium Inc. to explore the possibility of eventually mining the uranium, which is now worth an estimated $10 billion.
Virginia has had a moratorium on uranium mining since 1982, but Virginia Uranium has a state permit to conduct exploratory drilling to verify the deposit. The company began test drilling last December.
Coles said he is encouraged by Kilgore's proposal and welcomes the findings of an independent, scientific study.
"With the growing importance of energy independence for America, as well as the presence of Virginia's world-class uranium deposit, the time is right to conduct an independent and thorough study of the issue," he said.
"We are confident that the Coal and Energy Commission, which conducted a comprehensive study of the issue in the early 1980s, can establish a process to evaluate the development of uranium resources in the commonwealth," Coles said.
"Virginia Uranium stands ready to provide any pertinent data to ensure a study of the highest quality," he added.
Opponents don't think uranium mining can be done safely in Virginia.
"We don't have a problem with them studying it," said Jack Dunavant, chairman of Southside Concerned Citizens. "They can study it 'til the cows come home. There is no way in the world to do it safely and protect lives. It's very destructive, and we are going to fight until it's defeated."
A House of Delegates' committee tabled a uranium study bill in the General Assembly earlier this year.
The proposed bill would have created a Virginia Uranium Mining Commission composed of three members from the Senate, five from the House of Delegates, and six citizen members appointed by the governor, including two each from Pittsylvania County and Halifax County.
The bill also authorized a two-year study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences or some other independent group, and would have included public input and hearings.
According to a statement on its website, the Coal and Energy Commission "exists to study all aspects of coal as an energy resource and endeavors to stimulate, encourage, promote, and assist in the development of renewable and alternative energy resources other than petroleum."
The commission includes eight members from the House, five from the Senate and seven citizens representing industry, government and groups or organizations identified with production and conservation of coal, natural gas, and energy.
In addition to Kilgore, members include Del. R. Lee Ware Jr. of Powhatan, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr. of Galax, Del. William R. Janis of Glen Allen, Del. Timothy D. Hugo of Centreville, Del. Watkins M. Abbitt Jr. of Appomattox, Del. Kristen J. Amundson of Mount Vernon, and Del. Clarence E. Phillips of Castlewood.
Senate members include Sen. John C. Watkins of Midlothian, Sen. Charles J. Colgan of Manassas, Sen. William C. Wampler Jr. of Bristol, Sen. Phillip P. Puckett of Tazewell, and Sen. Frank W. Wagner of Virginia Beach.
Citizen members are Barbara Altizer, Harry D. Childress, Frank Henderson, Albert Darrell Holbrook, James K. Martin, John K. Matney, and Dale P. Lee.
Del. Don Merricks, who represents Pittsylvania County in the General Assembly, supports an independent study, but said the commission needs to hold public hearings before beginning work.
"They need to hear firsthand what people are concerned about, " he said. "They need to hear it all."
Merricks also said the study should examine the economic and social issues surrounding uranium mining as well as environmental concerns.
"I'm neither for it or against it," he said, "but I do think an independent study will put it to rest once and for all."
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791
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