Tag Archives: uranium mining

Virginia Energy Updates

Dominion declared their interest yesterday in some of the offshore wind leases off the Virginia coast.  We previously wrote about these leases here.  Dominion has been studying how they can profit from this renewable generation for the past couple of years, and received a grant from the DOE to research how generation costs can be reduced.

Dominion is frequently criticized for their lack of investment in renewable energy.  Even here at JECE Blog we occasionally question their motives.  So building some offshore wind turbines and developing this technology would be a strong showing by Dominion of their interest in renewable power.  The next step is for BOEM to start the bidding process for these leases.

In other news, the uranium mining working group put together by Gov. McDonnell will meet in Chatham on June 18th to discuss the possibility of mining uranium in Virginia. Apparently they will be having a few more meetings in the fall; maybe we can convince them to hold one here at W&L.  If anyone is still in Virginia over the summer, you should think about going!

Links
Dominion Virginia Power Expresses Interest in Coastal Area Designated for Offshore Wind Generation (Dominion)
June’s uranium workgroup meeting in Chatham (GoDanRiver.com)

Gov. McDonnell Opposes Lifting Uranium Ban This Year

Gov. McDonnell has come out in opposition of lifting the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia this year, but he plans to create a group to draft potential uranium mining regulations.  Virginia Uranium, the company lobbying to repeal the moratorium, appears to be pleased with the decision, as they should be.  But, they still have a long way to go before these regulations could be put in place and the moratorium lifted.

Coverage
Letter from Gov. McDonnell
Virginia Governor Directs the State Regulatory Agencies to Develop Draft Uranium Mining Regulations in 2012 (WSJ)
Gov. McDonnell opposes lifting ban on uranium mining in Virginia this year (Washington Post)
Reaction mixed to gov’s uranium decision (ABC 13)
Uranium Moratorium (Governors Journal)
Good Move on Uranium (Bacon’s Rebellion)