Did the Register and Bee accuse concerned citizens as vilifiers of politicians?

Thanks Karen! GV

Did the Register and Bee accuse concerned citizens as vilifiers of politicians? (Bought and paid for? 1/18/09) Forgive us if we have grave reservations regarding the proposed uranium mining study . The Coal and Energy Commission (C&E C) came through the back door in order to give Virginia Uranium, Inc. (VUI) what it lobbied for, and was denied, during the last General Assembly. Media reported that all C&E members are recipients of contributions from either VUI, their lobbying firms or both. This information is factual and not vilification of anyone.

In the absence of meaningful public discussion and debate we are left to speculate the intent and actions of the self-appointed overseers of the uranium study. The public hearing allowed us to ask questions that the C&E Commission is under no obligation to explore. It appears that the C&E C , in its motion to circumvent the General Assembly, is unanimous in encouraging two studies.

One mandate of their motion urges the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research to enter into an agreement with (we know not whom) to conduct a wide-ranging study on the impact of uranium mining in the Commonwealth. Notice how easily the C&E C outsourced the responsibility for technical and engineering aspects to the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research. Why involve the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research? Perhaps funding is involved.

The 1985 Coal and Energy Commission report to the General Assembly notes, "At a meeting held on November 2, 1984, in Blacksburg, the Subcommittee was taken through the offices and laboratories of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research Center and the Mining and Engineering Department at VPI & SU. At times, during the tour, Subcommittee members noted the inadequacy of financial support given these important research programs. Some of the equipment being used was 30 years old or older. It seemed to the subcommittee members that there is a pressing need for more funds for these research programs." Lets do the math 1984 plus 30 years...it must be funding time again.

A second mandate in the C&E C 's motion to initiate a uranium study addresses human health concerns. The C&E Commission resolves, "That the Commission, through its subcommittee, with assistance if necessary, of the Center [for Coal and Energy Research] undertake the study of other economic, environmental, public health and social issues affecting nearby communities, the region and the Commonwealth as a whole..." To which nearby communities are they referring? Since only Virginia Uranium, Inc is lobbying to mine at Coles Hill...that would be us! So much for a statewide study.

I, for one, do not feel that members of the Coal and Energy Commission and their subcommittee members have the expertise to determine economic, environmental, public health and social issues resulting from uranium mining and milling in Pittsylvania County and most certainly, not for the whole of Virginia. Perhaps they will outsource that study to Santoy!

If the Coal and Energy Commission wishes to earn our trust and respect, they're off to a bad start. The R&B can call that vilification if they like.

Karen B. Maute