In Kleberg County [TX], about a hundred people have lost their jobs after a uranium mining operation shut down.
County leaders say the fall of the price of uranium led to the cut-backs in the company. Residents living in the area say the uranium mining operation has contaminated their water supply for years.
The company is required by law to return the groundwater to its original standards due to the company's cutbacks, they won't be able to do that right away said county leaders. [Of course they won't. They never will. SB]
Video here:
http://www.kiiitv.com/news/area3news/37101789.html
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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Hundreds Express Concerns to State Study Commission
At a subcommittee hearing of the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission held in Chatham tonight, a full house of 400-plus people expressed their concerns or support for a state sponsored study of the feasability of uranium mining in Virginia. Below please find a blow-by-blow account from a blog by Danville Register and Bee Reporter Sarah Arkin (please note that the earliest coverage of the event starts at the bottom of the blog notes by Arkin):
By Sarah Arkin
Published: January 6, 2009
People are certainly full of concerns, but it seems like we’ve reached the point in the night where there isn’t much more that can be expressed. People are now reiterating what others have said, impressing upon members of the subcommitte their personal investment in the region and in potential mining.I’ll sign off now, and let John Crane put together the story for tomorrow’s paper.
Samir Hosemi - “I came to this country because I love this country, said the industrial organic chemist. “The United States of America is a beautiful country, and unfortunately we ourselves are getting our country down.““Uranium mining is not a new thing,“ he said. He said many of the questions asked could be answered by other studies, notably those done in France, which is an agricultural country. If we leave this deposit down, we’ll need it for energy. He turned to the rest of the auditorium to talk about the price of oil. When we can’t afford it, he said, industry goes down, there are no jobs. “Don’t you understand?“ God gave us wealth…we have to know how to extract it. Let’s concentrate on how we can do it efficiently. Are we going to rely on Russia and other places to get our uranium?
Coy Harville - Chairman of the board of supervisors of Pittsylvania County - “We’ve heard a lot of concerns…I’m hoping y’all will go to every source possible to look at the impact.“
“After the conclusion of this study, if there is any, any question about the safety and wellbeing of the people of Pittsylvania County, I hope you will continue to study.“
8:27p.m.: Willy Fitzgerald - president of the NAACP of Pittsylvania County. NAACP is not united on whether or not they want a study, but here are some of the concerns we have, he said. These encompass the basic and broad concerns that most people have been illuminating. “What effect on the soil, water, air quality? Who will be held accountable? When will the community be made aware? What impact will mining have on the minority community? What are the possible health issues for the entire state of Virginia and community? What economic impact does this have?
Philip Lovelace - This stuff is going to absorb right into our ground. “This worries me big time.“ Williams Gas Company has lines through here, and he’s heard they’re going to be re-routed. What effects will that have? We have got roughly 1,400 farms in this community, a lot of water. “Please, really consider what this will do.“
Deborah Lovelace - Acid mine drainage can occur for centuries. Consider the wind patterns.
8:12p.m.: Steve Whirly - I don’t know everything about this uranium mining. In fact, I didn’t hear anything about it until two months ago. It’s apparent to me that somebody here this evening that some people know what they’re talking about, and some don’t. Welfare of the County, the wellfare of humanity He questioned whether there wasn’t someone closer to the county who might be able to do the study. People cheered to that.“You fellows should be in the know…if this uranium mine was proposed within a couple miles of your house, how would you feel about that?“People cheered very loudly.
“It’s precisely that question I asked myself when I came on this commission,“ said delegate Ware, to more applause. Delegate Carrico added, “the safety of the people that live here is the main concern…I wouldn’t have driven all the way here (150 miles) if I wasn’t concerned.“
8:06p.m.: Fred Ingram - member of the board of Pittsylvania County supervisors wants a health phsyics department at the site, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission on site “I want them there.“He outlined some demands: Explain how tailings will be contained and covered. Display the difference in uranium and radon. I want to know the difference between radon and uranium, he said, and what is the association betwen radon and lung cancer. I want you to explain in great detail how uranium will be mined. How will the dust be controlled. One of the major questions to be addressed is how the mining will be perceived by the citizens of Pittsylvania County. “Is this good? Bad? We just don’t know.“ Also how does nuclear energy effect our carbon footprint.
Joseph Tours - Like many others, he expressed concern about the LLC status of Virginia Uranium, wholly owned by a Canadian company. Where is the accountability he wants to know.
Barry Carter - from the Occaneechi and Saponi Indian tribe “Uranium mining is a brutal rape and desecration of our mother earth…so a study is the study of raping your own mother.““Is this a spiritual desecration?“ We ask you to study the spiritual aspects of uranium minig, understanding that it’s a different question, he said. He said before “the invasion of 1492”, there were many prophecies that came to light. Light skinned people, he said, were predicted to come with death and destroy the lands and pollute the earth. Many people are cheering and clapping at his remarks.
Cassandra Smith - She’s very concerned about waste, but knows that one company’s waste may be another’s power source. She’s interested into whether there are companies that could use tailings from uranium mining as a power source.
7:56 p.m.: Lewis Sink - I would like for the study to take a detailed look at the total population of existing sites, and look at who has stayed and who has left. He is also concerned about the waste from mining, and whether Pittsylvania County residents would be responsible for clean-up.
Katherine Mull - “We need complete transparency regarding the flow of funds… Neutrality of the study sponsorship is paramount.“ She said Virginia Tech indeed would appear biased in conducting the study, and objectivity in the study is incredibly important. The scope of the study should not be limited by initial sources of funding, she said.
7:50 p.m.:Lee Anthony - PhD physicist—we need to look to whether it’s technologically feasible in Virginia, we need to look whether it’s economically feasible. Can the mining site be safely returned to the current environmental conditions? We need to look at well water, stream water and air quality, he said. What agencies, state, federal and private should conduct these studies. What is a reasonable timeline and a reasonable cost?
Angela Fitzgerald - her two children are tenth generation from Pittsylvania County. Would any uranium mined in the state of Virginia stay in Virginia? Or would it be energy for sale to the highest bidder? Her children have asked where they would move if they started mining uranium in Virginia. She also expresses concerns about public health. There haven’t been enough studies elsewhere to assure us this is a safe venture.
7:41 p.m.: Deborah Dix - She says representatives on the committee who have received contributions and awarded contracts to VUI exemplify “pay to play” politics. Environmental regulations “always come after the fact,“ she said.“What is the safe exposure threshold for pregnant women and fetuses.“ Radon gas poisoning also needs to be examined, as studies from Europe have shown that it can travel up to 400 miles, she said.
Margaret Rusterbelt would like to suggest doing a baseline sediment count of what we have in the water right now. “We know we have yellow cake and uranium in our ground. Study what already is heavy metal in the water.“ Also, she said “I would like to know what kind of remediation funds there are because VU is a Limited Liability Company. She would like to discuss what kind of funding is available.
George Stanhope“My concerns are basically about dust. In the initial blast, there are basically no regulations.“ That dust is water soluble, the Bannister River is not far from there, which runs into the lake where people in Virginia Beach get their water.
Eloise Neenon Here representing Caretakers of God’s Creation and also serves on the board of Southside Concerned Citizens.“I was there when the moratorium was passed by the GA…we’d like to keep it there.“VU talks about the mining, but where is there plan? When this came up before the House rules committee VU’s plan, we need it now, don’t put the cart before the horse. I am concerned about a money trail. We’re concerned about preserving God’s creation.“
Jesse Andrews “I don’t think a study can offer a piece of mind. Either the study determines mining can be done safely or with acceptable risks.““That’s where we become guinea pigs.“ None of you live here, not one person up there.
A number of people keep touching on the potential health issues, especially relating to birth defects. Many want to know how seepage into the groundwater be cleaned up.
Anne Cockrell: Read an article in World Nuclear News—that said Virginia’s Coal and Energy Commission will conduct an impact on the uranium mining, working with institutions such as the National Academy of Sciences and Virginia Tech. Why should Virginia Tech, who’s engineering studies program, closed in the 1980s be allowed to participate in a study that would benefit the institute? “It’s clearly a conflict of interest, she said, “and they should be excluded from the process.“
7:24 p.m.: Evidently, there have been a lot of accusations toward this committee,“ said Charles Carrico . “I’m being accused that I’ve received $6,500…it’s a blatant lie,“ he said.“I take offense to the fact that the accusations are being made. They’re not true.“ No one has taken a vote on this panel that the mining would take place…the accusations you’re making are untrue. We’re here tonight to listen to you, to listen to your concerns.“
Karen Maute—Hopes the study take into consideration all other mining sites as well. Scope of this study should also take into consideration uranium milling, she said. The committee has no representation from Southside, she said, which concerns her. Other people voice agreement.
Ansel Edwards “I came down here with concerns, but now I have more concerns. I’m looking at this piece of paper that says you all have accepted bribes. I’m not for that. I know there are three sides: My side, your side, and the right side. I think you should give this money back.“
Members of the panel insist they haven’t taken money from VUI.
7:15 p.m.: Greg Vicary: Chairman of the Pittsylvania County chapter of Southside Concerned Citizens: “With the contributions each of you have accepted from VUI and/or their lobbyists, how can you convince people you can possibly be an unbiased panel?“Unlike you, we have no interest in putting a private for profit into busoiness, especially one that will put our health and livelihood in danger.
A referendum shows that people are not interested in mining, he said.“This is tyranny…when you sow the seeds of tyranny you will reep the harvest of revolution.““The people will determine this issue, as is our right.
People are standing and cheering in support.
Anette Ayers expressed concern about the health effects, she said these need to be taken into particular consideration. What effects will radiation and radon have, she wants to know.
Tommy Motley President of the Farm Bureau wants to make sure agriculture, which is the largest industry in Pittsylvania County is considered in the study.
“Our land is our 401(k) What will happen to our 401(k)s,“ he said.
Linda Frank said her business is dependent on tourism. “I’m concerned about my water, air, my animals and about my business. Property values are already plummeting at the threat of uranium mining, she said. Already you can’t sell anything.
Shereen ParsonsShe said similar panels “have presided over the most egregious legalized corporate assaults on people and the environment.“She comapared the mining to “legalized regulated mountain top removal coal mining, (where) once majestic mountains are leveled, local economies destroyed and communities vanished.“Legalized plants spew coal into the air, she said. “Legalized and regulated coal slurry flow throughout rivers, she said, siting a recent spill in Tennessee that people are calling the biggest environmental disaster ever.
“Thanks to you and DEQ we have a similar disaster waiting on the banks of the river in Giles County. She again called it a “legalized, corporate assault.“
People are very loudly cheering her on.
“I suggest this particular bogus study include a study of how the other studies managed to be so incorrect.“
“This commission don’t have the authority to decide whether Virginia citizens will be taken over by this corporate occupation,“ she said.
“It is we the people who decide. And we say no.“ People cheered to this.She accused committee members of taking “their 30 pieces of silver.“
6:57p.m.: Jack Donovan: A professional engineer, chairman of Southside concerned citizens, and my family has lived here longer than the Coles family. Can the radioactive pollution from mining be confined to the site? And if so, how? We know the answer. Why is the State of Virginia partnering with an organization partering with a foreign conglomerate. VUI should present its plan, the state should study that plan. “Why are you contracting with Virginia Tech? You can go out an get an engineering report and you can get it to say anything you want it to say. Virginia Tech is a for profit organization, and VUI is putting up the money.““The honorable state of Virginia should not be drawn into a tainted licensing process.“Many people are cheering him on, although Ware has asked him to confine his questions to the study.“These questions come from my people,“ Donovan responded “...we the people… we put you there…we ask you to represent us, to listen to us.“
People are urging Ware and the subcommittee to “let him speak”
“It has also come to our attention that people (on the subcommitee) have received campaign contributions from VUI. “They should recuse themselves from this committee,“ he said. The state of Virginia does not own one inch of Halifax County or Pittsylvania County.“We will not tolerate an industry that would destroy our land, our water and our livelihood.“
“If Richmond tries to shove this uranium mining down our throats, we will fight to the bitter end, till the last man falls.“
Sue Poe expressed concerns about the impact on agriculture in the region. She said members of her family are still active farmers, and she is concerned about what mining and an consequences might have on livestock and feed. Also, she wants to know “how will you study the long term effects of radiation on people and their health.“
Walter Anderson: As a university student studying technology, he said that Lynchburg is the closest place that he and other college graduates like him can go to find jobs. He wants to know what kinds of jobs mining uranium could provide for him and other students like him and allow them to stay close to home.
Walter Coles, Jr. :“My family has lived at Coles Hill for more than 200 years. What are the risks if this project is not allowed to go forward? In the last year, he said, the U.S. consumed 50 million pounds of uranium, getting almost 40 percent of that from Russia and other soviet states. “We produce less than 10 percent of our own uranium fuel requirements,“ he said. For oil, we rely on imports for 60 percent of our needs.“What are the impacts when rely on potentially hostile foreign countries for our energy supplies?“Considering the growth of China and India, the supply and demand situation could get much worse, he said.
6:43 p.m.: Mick Mastelovic with Virginia Uranium “I urge to rely on professional who…get to the heart of the matter…don’t be led down dead ends intended to confuse.“
“Show that we are protected from unintended consequences, not by safety gadgets,“ but by understanding of the natural process.
6:41 p.m.: Mary Catherine Plaster: The main concerns about mining in the 1980s voiced at public hearings Plaster attended have not abated, she said. Legislations and regulations should be enacted to protect people, she said. This is the first time we’ve had local ownership attempting to address the fact that uranium is here. “Please consider that this study tonight is our only chance for the protection of Virginians, not just those in Pittsylvania County.“
Patrick Wales: Geologist and manager for Virginia Uranium, also a lifelong resident of Danville. He said the study should examine how the mining would work with Virginia’s existing nuclear facilities. Other sectors of the Virginia economy are poised and ready for the nuclear renaissance. I urge you to consider how this can enhance Virginia’s already strong position in the world of nuclear technology, he said.
Jenny Cole, geologist for Virginia Uranium, and one with close ties to Coles Hill. She said the study should carefully consider the effects of hydrology.
Buddy Mayhew: Lifelong resident of Pittsylvania County, as a member of the tobacco commission, I’m aware of the economic challenges…high unemployment and budget shortfalls will continue.“ Mayhew said the study should look into the potential positive economic impacts, and how those might roll over into neighboring counties. He said we should consider the potential tax-base increase.
Joel Gregory: certified petroleum geologist, worked on mining sites in Utah and California. Specific recommendations as to what should be studied as a geologist. “We need a comprehensive comparison between geology and hydrology of Southside to other places in the U.S.,“ he said.
Additionally, we need a detailed analysis of dust and dust abatement. “One thing that I would like to have verified, I’d like to have it verified that radon doesn’t have an effect on miners if you’re above surface, because we know it’s dangerous underground”
It’s not hte same hydrologic set-up as it is the SW. “How do our particular water sources relate to water sources. My contention is that we have such limited lateral ground movement, things just don’t travel out of the county.“
“We know what went wrong in SW“I suggest we take a stong look at underground tailings…Does climate actually have anything to do with it?“
Jeremy Simpson talked about transparency:
“Ful disclosure of the evaluation process, and a “central public information repositor.“
6:23 p.m. Gary Fountain has the first floor time. Head of school at Chatham Hall, an all girls high school in Chatham. Has been a significant business and education institute in Chatham. Directly employ 67 local residents, 38 faculty and other administrators. 1 in 5 students is from the region. “These significant environmental and health concerns are important to Chatham Hall. In addition we have major business and financial concerns related to marketing. How will perspective students and parents view attending a school miles away from uranium mining?“ Current, broad, negative connotations of mining…will it cause Chatham Hall to lose market share? Chatham Hall has more than 40 states and 11 international countries…singular factors can influence “Safety is a major factor in Chatham Hall’s appeal to families,“ he said. “I believe unless a study of the impact of uranium mining studies the impact of these public relations concerns,“ the study will have failed to do due diligence, he said.
6:27 p.m.: Andrew Lester, resident of Pittsylvania County: there’s a perception that you are pro-mining. He suggested including citizens who are not pro-mining, who can ask good questions at your meetings and discussions. They don’t have to be voting members, he said, but they should be present.He also suggested bringing North Carolina localities into the discussions, particularly those like Raleigh who may share water supplies down the road.
Ware interjected saying the committee has already been set up, and said that Lester’s suggestions of people to include aren’t appropriate at this time.
Lester, then said, that the impact of mining on North Carolina should be studied. He said the committee should also consider the impact of water supplies for military units in Virginia Beach. This, he said, makes mining a national issue.
“The thing about uranium mining,“ he said, “An operating manual didn’t come with it.“ “Keep in mind, if you make the wrong decision, he said, “ You’ll be damned by history.“
6:20 p.m.“ Ware has taken over the microphone now, and members of the committe. In the fall we had our first general meeting, had the first public hearing in December. “Our purpose is in the course of our subcommitee’s deliberations to have a comprehensive review of the scientific, ecological and economic factors that are involved in mining.“ Ware went on to say he believes people of the highest calibur will be working on the study.
“Our purpose tonight is to hear from you what you think should be included in the study as we get underway,“ he said.
It’s not appropriate to include the pros and cons of uranium mining, he said, this meeting is to focus on what specifically the study should address.
The Fire Marshall says the room is getting close to capacity.
Charles Poindexter from the 9th district also offered his comments, starting by thanking everyone
“I have the utmost confidence in people on this committee….I have faith in the effort as it goes forward.“ These gentlemen are looking for things they haven’t heard before, he said.
6:12 p.m.: “I am not sure of any issue that faces us now of any greater importance,“ said Senator Robert Hurt who lives six miles from the proposed mining site, noting he lives there with three young sons.
“This is our opportunity to be heard,“ he said. He encouraged people to stay engaged with the commission and his office as the study goes on.
6:10 p.m.: Danny Marshall is now speaking, thanking everyone for being here. “We the folks are oging ot have to live with this, no matter what happens,“ he said…“It’s not just about the mining of uranium, it’s utmost about the safety of our citizens. What till the mining look like 3 years from now, 30 years from now, and even 300 hundred years from now?“
“What’s going to happen on a night like this when it rains? What’s going to happen to folks downstream? What’s going to happen in the summer time when it’s dry and the wind blows? What impact to agricultural, dairy and food products (will this have)? What happens to Hargrave? What will happen to economic development?“
6:04 p.m. Lee Ware is getting the meeting started. He’s thanking local legislators. Don Merricks is offering his remarksThe Coal and Energy commission has agreed to undergo a study, early stages of the study, “Please understand that this is not a hearing on the pros and cons of uranium mining,“ said Merricks. “Also, the moratorium against mining uranium is still in place, and this study will not lift the moratorium.“ The meeting, he said, is to hear what people what the study to include.“Unless a study proves to me beyond a shadow of a doubt,“ Merricks said, that mining won’t be harmful to humans, the land, humans, the environment and the economy, he is not in favor of it.
6:01 p.m.: At least 350 people have filled up the auditorium which, according to the Pittsylvania County Fire Marshall can hold 442. Panel members are taking their seats. State Senator Robert Hurt is also here.
Tonight’s weather seem appropriate for the forum, as many of peoples’ concerns with the mining have to do with how water will affect the process, and whether ore will get into the run-off and what potential harms that might have.
5:45 p.m.: Ellen Porter, who has been handling most of the administrative tasks for this panel just explained how the evening will proceed. Delegate R. Lee Ware will begin the session, perhaps offer a little bit of background on the proposed study and the role of the subcommittee. After that, we will move to public comment, during which time anyone who signed up to speak with have a couple minutes to voice their comments, questions and concerns. Porter noted that all other forms of public comment including mail and e-mail not explicitly mentioned tonight will also be distributed to committee members.
She expects it to be a long night.
As far as timing goes, she said if the study goes through, the committee would like to get it underway as soon as possible, but certainly wouldn’t start during the January-February legislative session. If and when the study does get underway, she said it would probably take at least a year to complete.
The room is filling up quickly, at least 150 people.
“I think the turnout is great,“ Katherine Mull with the Dan River Basin Association.“I’m so glad so many people came out in the rainy whether. I think it’s terrific the committee came down this way since none of them live in the area. I’m grateful for everyone who came.“
Delegates Danny Marshall R-Danville and Don R. Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County are also here. Cale Jaffe, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center based in Charlottesville is also here.
5:30 p.m. Apologies for the delay in blogging, Between all the camera equipment from the TV stations and a fair number of people on laptops, it was difficult to find an appropriate outlet.
People are filing into Chatham High School Auditorium, about 50 in all, maybe a little bit more including those set to speak. The uranium subcommittee of the Virginia Coal and Energy subcomittee is hosting this meeting, and it looks like most panel members are here. Panel members, as their placards denote are: Ellen Porter, Harry D. Childress, the Honorable Philip P. Puckett, the Honorable Frank W. Wagner, the Honorable John C. Watkins, the Honorable R. Lee Ware, Jr., Bill Owen, the Honorable Watkins Abbitt, Jr., the Honorable Charles W. Carrico, Sr., the Honorable Clarence E. Phillips, the Honorable William R. Janis.
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Posted By John Chaney to Chatham Views at 1/06/2009 06:48:00 PM
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