RICHMOND — A Richmond firm well-known for conducting economic impact analyses in Virginia will conduct the study assessing the socioeconomic impacts of uranium mining around Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County.
On Wednesday, the Uranium Mining Subcommittee of the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission unanimously selected Chmura Economics & Analytics — one of six firms vying for the project.
“It’s a very important project,” said Christine Chmura, president and chief economist. “It can make a huge difference to the economy in Pittsylvania County if the ore is mined, but it can also have a huge adverse impact if it cannot be mined safely.”
Subcommittee member Sen. John Watkins moved to name Chmura as the vendor for the $200,000 study, based on his readings of the firm’s other analyses and Chmura’s reputation to deliver unbiased analysis.
The study is meant to complement the National Academy of Sciences’ scientific study on uranium mining statewide. Both studies are due by the end of next year and will help legislators decide whether or not to allow uranium mining in Virginia.
Chatham-based Virginia Uranium Inc. would like to mine a 119-million-pound uranium deposit at Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County, but the state had a moratorium on uranium mining since 1982.
Those both for and against uranium mining in the state agree the study — analyzing benefits like jobs and revenue and costs like environmental consequences and health risks — will be highly scrutinized.
Whatever the outcome of the study, Chmura’s peers, Virginia residents and others across the world will be watching this study closely, said Walter Coles Sr., VUI president, CEO and board chairman.
“I’m confident they’ll do a good job at arm’s length,” said Coles, quoting Watkins. “We’re happy it came to this point. We look forward to its conclusion.”
Eloise Nenon, opponent of uranium mining, likes the idea of using focus groups and stakeholder input in the socioeconomic study.
“I think we all will bring up you must be part of it and aware of what’s going on because our future depends upon it,” Nenon said.
Leslie Peterson, partner at Chmura, said the study goes beyond more business for the firm.
“It’s because we live and work and have our families in Virginia,” Peterson said. “We’re committed to seeing the best socioeconomic impact study delivered to the residents of the commonwealth.”
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