The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources voted this morning to approve a study on the potential risks and benefits of uranium mining.

Senate Bill 525, which would establish the Virginia Uranium Mining Commission to conduct the study, could be the first step toward repeal of a 25-year-old ban on uranium mining in Virginia.

Much of the impetus for the bill, sponsored by Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, is a tentative plan by Virginia Uranium Inc. to mine what is believed to be the largest concentration of uranium in the country, now several miles underground in Pittsylvania County.

Advocates say mining the site could bring jobs and revenue to that part of the state; opponents say mining the uranium could pose a health risk.

A subcommittee last week had recommended the study be narrowed to just Pittsylvania County and Southside Virginia, but the committee rejected that after some expressed concern that passing localized mining regulations could be unconstitutional.
SB 525 now goes to the Senate Rules Committee.