A senior state senator who wants to lift Virginia’s moratorium on uranium mining and milling says he is “disappointed” by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling’s opposition.

State Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, announced last week that he will introduce legislation in the 2013 General Assembly session to end the moratorium and begin the process of establishing a regulatory program for uranium mining and milling. Bolling his expected to announce in Danville this afternoon that he opposes lifting the uranium ban.

“I am disappointed by the Lt. Governor’s position on uranium mining,” Watkins said in a statement. “The legislation I am working on is not even complete and may very well address his concerns. I would have expected a more thoughtful approach to this issue from Bill given his commitment to creating jobs, particularly in Southside.

“The legislation will not authorize uranium mining, it will only set the rules and standards required of any company seeking a permit to do so. Those rules will protect the public and the environment, and provide the opportunity for other economic development projects to thrive.

“Taking a position that denies people even the possibility of well-paying jobs and the opportunity to help the commonwealth and the nation meet its energy needs, is incredibly short sighted and deeply disappointing.”

– Michael Sluss