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Uranium mining battle won, war far from over
The Daily Herald- March 26, 2013

While residents along the Roanoke River may have won the battle in the fight against lifting the ban on uranium mining in Virginia, Roanoke River Basin Association leaders gathered this week to spread the news the war is still going.

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Jaffe, Burnley: Gov. McDonnell, respect the uranium mining moratorium
Richmond Times Dispatch – March 19, 2013

This winter, efforts to lift the commonwealth’s long-standing ban on uranium mining were soundly defeated. It was a landmark victory for more than 60 local governments, regional chambers of commerce, environmental nonprofits and public health groups, all of which opposed the idea of storing radioactive waste from uranium mining in a basin that provides drinking water for 1.1 million people.

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2 Va. Gov hopefuls weigh in on uranium mining
Progress Index – March 19, 2013

If Gov. Bob McDonnell decides against reviving the issue of uranium mining this year, the two men who are likely to succeed him are willing to keep the issue alive in 2014.  Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe conditionally said they would be open to consider uranium mining, in response to an Associated Press request for their positions on the fiercely debated subject. Each identified key factors in their ultimate decision, such as its economic impact and whether mining can be done safely.

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Virginia Tech’s ties to uranium cash raise questions
Roanoke Times Editorial – March 10, 2013

With the nation’s largest known undeveloped uranium deposit 100 miles from campus, it’s hard to blame Virginia Tech professors interested in energy research for beating a path to Pittsylvania County, home to an estimated 119 million pounds of the radioactive ore.  But Tech officials have opened themselves up to criticism by failing to fully explain the university’s complex relationship, particularly its financial connections, with Virginia Uranium Inc., the company seeking permission to mine the site.

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Uranium opponents to discuss strategy
Danville Register and Bee – March 5, 2013

While the uranium mining issue fizzled in this year’s General Assembly, both sides are still advancing their causes. Uranium mining opponents will be meeting Thursday to discuss what their strategy for next year will be, said Andrew Lester, executive director of the Roanoke River Basin Association.

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Southside anti-uranium legislators write to McDonnell
Virginia Pilot – February 8, 2013

A sextet of Southside Virginia legislators have written Gov. Bob McDonnell asking him to resist uranium supporters who want him to move ahead with the development of new mining regulations despite the recent demise of legislation for that purpose.”We strongly urge you not to follow that course,” reads the Feb. 6 letter to the governor, which notes “the General Assembly has concluded the risks are too great to approve lifting the moratorium on mining.”

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Uranium-mining proposal suffers major defeat
Richmond Times Dispatch – February 1, 2013

A proposal to end Virginia’s 31-year ban on uranium mining suffered a major defeat Thursday before a state Senate panel. Lacking the votes to win, Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, withdrew his bill in the Agriculture Committee. That killed the measure for the 2013 session without a vote on its merits.

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Opponents: Va. uranium bill doomed in committee
Charlottesville Observer – January 29, 2013

Opponents of uranium mining in Virginia said Tuesday they have the votes in a Senate committee to block legislation that would effectively end a decades-old state moratorium on mining the radioactive ore. “I’d say that it appears that the other side is handing over the white flag for this bill,” said May Fox of the Virginia Coalition, a group representing businesses in Southside Virginia.

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Va. county home to uranium deposit backs ban
Danville Register and Bee – January 23, 2013

The Board of Supervisors in Pittsylvania County is asking Virginia lawmakers to keep in place a moratorium on uranium mining.

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Virginia’s water at risk
Free-Lance Star – January 17, 2013

There are reports and recommendations that our legislators will use to decide if lifting the 30-year ban on uranium mining in Virginia is the right thing to do.

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Danville City Council unites against uranium mining
Register and Bee – January 4, 2013

Danville City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to support Virginia’s 1982 moratorium on uranium mining and milling. Several cities, towns and counties across Virginia and North Carolina have also taken stands against lifting the moratorium. Council members said they were glad the city had weighed in. “I just want to say I’m very proud of the city for taking a position,” said Councilman Fred Shanks. Councilman Lee Vogler agreed.