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Senate Bill No. 525 passed the Senate Tuesday on a 36-4 vote with only
Senators Ed Houck of Spotsylvania, Ralph Northam of Norfolk, Frank Ruff
of Clarksville and Jill Vogel of Winchester opposing it.
The bill calls for the establishment of a Virginia Uranium Mining
Commission which would serve as an advisory group to assess the risks
and benefits of developing Virginia's uranium resources in the state
and to advise the Governor and the General Assembly on whether uranium
mining and milling in Virginia can be undertaken in a manner that will
safeguard the Commonwealth's environment, natural and historic
resources, agricultural lands and the health and well-being of its
citizens.
Early in the chapter it offers this definition "Where uranium mining is
currently proposed" means the localities within the Southside and West
Piedmont Planning District Commissions.
And following the conclusion of the independent study which is to be
reported to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 15,
2009, the Commission shall offer recommendations for legislation which
establish necessary regulatory controls and safeguards under which
mining and the processing of uranium resources could be permitted.
The Commission will be composed of 17 members: three members of the
Senate (to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules); five members
of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Delegates, six non legislative citizen members to be appointed by
the Governor, two of whom shall live in Pittsylvania County, two who
reside in Halifax County and all of whom shall have specific education,
training, knowledge or experience in the fields of public health,
environmental protection, mining or similar fields related to the work
of the Commission. Ex-officio members (and non-voting) will be the
Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, the Director of
the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Commissioner of
Health or their designees.
Legislative members and ex-officio members will remain on the
Commission for the length of their terms or for as long as eight years,
while appointees will serve two year terms, but be eligible for
re-appointment for as long as eight years. The chairmanship and vice
chair will be elected from legislative members and meetings will be
held at the call of the chairman. Public notice of all meetings will be
published in newspapers of general circulation in the locality and
planning district where the meeting is to be held and in any locality
where uranium mining is being proposed at least ten (10) days in
advance of the meeting.
The duties of the Commission are enormous, including contracting for a
comprehensive and independent scientific study that is adequately
funded to provide an analysis of the extent of any increase in health
risks to residents where the mining and the processing of uranium would
be conducted in Virginia. The study is to be done by the National
Academy of Science.
Commission members duties also call for an analysis of uranium
mining's, including millings, disposal of tailing and other wastes
potential for degradation of surface and ground water; potential
effects on air quality; the safe total radiation dose and attendant
public health risks, both acute and chronic, to the general public and
sensitive populations such as children and pregnant women. Members also
need to look at occupational health impacts to mining industry workers;
potential damage to crops, food sources, livestock, fish and wildlife;
potential impacts to open space, historic and archeological resources
and impacts, both positive and negative on future economic development
and tourism.
The Commission would also analyze the long term and short term impact
on state and local economies, both positive and negative, posed by
development of a uranium mining and processing industry and the
potential for long term and short term impacts to communities in areas
containing known uranium reserves.
Members would also be responsible for studying the current state of
technology and management techniques for mining, milling and tailings
management in the uranium industry, including the availability and
effectiveness of technology, design and management techniques to
protect natural resources, the environment and public health from
potential adverse effects related to uranium mining. They will also be
asked to provide information on the safety and health record of the
uranium mining and processing industry in the United States and
elsewhere, as well as providing information about uranium mining
operations that have been conducted in net precipitation areas and in
areas with population densities comparable to or greater than
Virginia's.
The bill also creates a Uranium Study Fund which shall consist of
gifts, donations, grants and bequests from which all expenditures and
disbursements will by made by the State Treasurer. The total costs for
the operation and administration of the Commission shall be funded from
this fund.
The bill calls for the independent study to show that any entity
permitted to mine or mill uranium has adequate financial resources to
conduct operations in accordance with regulatory standards, properly
reclaim mining sites and ensure safe long-term management of tailings
and other waste material.
The bill now goes to the House of Delegates for its consideration.