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The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission voted 12-0 Thursday to study uranium mining.
The decision will have far-reaching consequences for Pittsylvania County, which 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 mining the uranium, which is now worth an estimated $8 billion.
The commission, chaired by Del. Terry Kilgore of Scott County, met at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.
"This is a very important issue," said Kilgore. "There is a lot we don't know about uranium mining. That's why we are doing the study."
In a statement last month, the chairman said the need for independent American sources of energy is "a matter of national security and economic prosperity."
"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."
Kilgore noted that the Coal and Energy Commission conducted a similar study on uranium mining in 1980s.
"We need to leave no stone unturned on this," he said. "If it's not safe, we don't want to do it."
Kilgore appointed a subcommittee to oversee the study. The subcommittee is chaired by Del. Lee Ware of Powhatan and includes Del. Watkins Abbitt of Appomattox, Sen. John Watkins of Midlothian, Del. William R. Janis of Glen Allen, Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr. of Galax, Sen. Phillip P. Puckett of Tazewell, Del. Clarence E. Phillips of Castlewood and Harry D. Childress.
Childress, a citizen member on the commission, is the former head of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Abbitt was a member of the original commission that studied uranium mining in Virginia.
Kilgore said the commission will rely on the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy at Virginia Tech to develop a blueprint for the study.
The study also will likely involve the National Academy of Sciences.
"The question we want to answer is this," said Kilgore: "Is uranium mining safe at the site in question and what effect will it have on the environment, economy and quality of life on the area."
Kilgore plans to hold public hearings in the county to listen to residents' concerns before the study begins.
"We're going to try to get as much public input as we can," the chairman said.
Kilgore said the commission hopes to receive contributions from environmental groups and the uranium industry to fund the study, which may cost $1 million and is expected to take 18 months to two years.
Last year, Virginia Uranium offered to pay for a state study, and chairman Walter Coles said the company is still willing to contribute.
Coles attended the meeting in Richmond and said he was pleased by the Coal and Energy Commission's decision to move forward on an independent, scientific study.
"We've been after this for a long time," he said. "We think it's the right thing to do."
Del. Danny Marshall of Danville attended the Richmond meeting along with about 20 people from Pittsylvania and Halifax counties.
"To me, this is not just a study on the science of uranium," said Marshall. "It needs to be broader and take in the health and welfare of citizens, not just in Pittsylvania County but those downstream as well."
Marshall told commission members the study should consider the social and economic effects of uranium mining on jobs, property values and enrollment at two prestigious private schools in the area, Chatham Hall and Hargrave Military Academy.
He also urged the commission to hold public hearings in the county before beginning the study.
"I want to make sure citizens can express their concerns so they can be incorporated into the study," the delegate said.
Even if the study proves favorable, lawmakers will still have to lift Virginia's moratorium on uranium mining, which has been in place since 1981.
"The Virginia Coal and Energy Commission has no legislative power," said Marshall. "They cannot lift the moratorium on uranium mining. Only the General Assembly can do that."
Del. Don Merricks agreed.
"An independent study is the only way to get the facts necessary to make an educated decision about mining and milling uranium," Merricks said in a letter to the commission.
"I am not in favor of lifting the moratorium nor will I be until a study proves to me this can be done safely without harm to the economic, social and environmental aspects of the area."
Sen. Robert Hurt also supports a study.
"This is one of the most important issues of our time, and I think it's extremely important to take a sober, careful look at seeing if it can be done safely and in a manner consistent with our high quality of life," said Hurt.
Ninth District Del. Charles Poindexter, who represents the western part of the county, said a study may put the issue to rest once and for all.
"I don't see why anyone would object to learning more about anything," said Poindexter. "I think we need to proceed with the study and come up with scientific facts.
"If a study shows that uranium mining goes against public health and safety, then the legislature won't go forward."
Local leaders also weighed in on the study.
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Coy Harville said a study is a "great idea."
"We need to get a study on the way," said Harville. "We need to get some information to the public."
Chatham Mayor George Haley was a little less enthusiastic.
"I've never been against a study," said Haley. "It just depends on who does it and if it's a real, true study and not political. I just wonder about our state government and how political it is."
Haley hopes to convince Chatham Town Council to adopt a chemical trespass ordinance aimed at uranium mining.
Halifax Town Council became the first locality in Virginia to adopt a chemical trespass ordinance last year.
"I'm still concerned that we need a chemical trespass law," the mayor said. "We should have one."
Opponents worry that the study will be a whitewash, and fear that it's just a prelude to lifting the state's moratorium.
"It will be an experiment and all of us will be the guinea pigs," said Greg Vickrey, chairman of the Chatham-Pittsylvania County Chapter of Southside Concerned Citizens.
"I don't know what they are going to study. Virginia Uranium has not presented a plan. There's nothing to study."
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com 434-432-2791
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2008/11/11/chatham/news/news39.txt
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