Sustainable Loudon, in conjunction with the Piedmont Environmental Council, is hosting an informational summit on the prospects of uranium mining in Virginia. The summit takes place on Friday, November 11 at the George Washington University campus in Ashburn, VA at 7pm (doors open at 6pm). Linda Pentz Gunter, international specialist at Beyond Nuclear, is one of the featured speakers. See the flier for more details.
Virginia Uranium, a company with roots in Canada, is lobbying hard to over-turn the current moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia. However, uranium mining around the world has led to contamination of land, air and water and high increases in cancers and respitory illnesses. Even supposedly closed mines are not free from danger, leaving behind tailings which also enter the environment, or, in some cases, are used in everyday household items, buildings and parking lots. The forum will examine what it might mean for Loudon County if the uranium mining moratorium is lifted.