Uranium Study Plans Cause Concern -- WSET TV

Pittsylvania Co., VA - There will be a study on the effects of uranium mining in Virginia. We told you about the decision from the Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy to proceed with the study. That's causing concern for some area residents. County resident Karen Maute just finished mitigating her basement of radon. She's not nervous about her home anymore, but for her, this study is a step toward mining.

Karen Maute, Concerned Resident - "If we've got radon already in our homes and we're being exposed to it there why would we want to open up a big pit and have more radon?"

Maute doesn't need a study to tell her what she already knows.

Maute - "Common sense dictates us that's it’s not a good thing to have a uranium mine in your town!"

State Delegate Danny Marshall doesn't mind a study as long as it's all-inclusive.

Danny Marshall, (R) State Delegate - "What's going to happen 3 years from now, 30 years from now, 300 years from now."

But if it's not...

Marshall - "If we don't look at the health of the community, if we don't look at the property values or the welfare of the communities then we shouldn't go forth with the study."

The study could last up to two years. A time frame Maute believes is too long.

Maute - "Who's going to look at this place and say yeah I want to invest my time and energy and move my family here until this thing is resolved and so we're just prolonging it."

Not everyone shares her sentiment.

Kyle McKinney, Resident - "It's a natural resource it’s ours and we should go and get it and I think the way that we get it is probably safe enough."

Jason Guzauskas, Resident - "I think we need to at least explore it and if there's a way to make revenue and create jobs in the area its worth pursing as long as it’s not an outright detriment to our area."

Then there are residents like Maute.

Maute - "I wish they'd just ban uranium mining in Virginia because it’s just not the place for it."

The Commission can only make recommendations according to their findings. Only the General Assembly can lift the current moratorium

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