Should the moratorium be lifted?

BLACKSBURG

--As we approach the end of 2011, the debate concerning uranium mining in Virginia is reaching a crescendo as those in favor and those opposed anticipate that a bill to overturn the existing moratorium on uranium mining will be introduced into the Virginia General Assembly in 2012. While this is an important issue, especially to those who live in Southside Virginia and in other parts of the commonwealth that might host uranium deposits, the implications extend far beyond the question of whether or not to exploit the largest unmined uranium deposit in the United States.

The broader and more important question concerns the future that we, as residents of the commonwealth and citizens of the United States, want to forge for our children and their children and grandchildren. America is in decline because we have become dependent on others to provide all of the resources and gadgets that we have become accustomed to, and which lead to the high standard of living and quality of life that Americans enjoy.

The United States became a great nation because for the first two centuries of our existence we were mostly self-sufficient in terms of energy and raw materials needed for manufacturing. We produced tangible goods that not only provided jobs to Americans, but also provided income as those goods were sold at home and abroad. Today, we produce little in the way of tangible goods in this country, as iron and steel, furniture, textiles, electronics, and most other types of manufacturing activities have moved to other countries.

This loss of domestic productivity comes at a great cost. In 2009, the United States spent $309 billion to import oil, enough to hire all of the 14 million unemployed at an annual salary of $22,000. Much of this oil was imported from countries that are openly or covertly working toward the our destruction.

1 2 Next Page

SELF-SUFFICENCY: RETURNING THE U.S. AND VIRGINIA TO GREATNESS

Robert Bodnar is the C.C. Garvin and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. Bodnar was recognized as Virginia's Outstanding Scientist for 2010.

Date published: 12/11/2011

1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
2. Please avoid offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or defamatory language.
3. Read and follow THE RULES.
4. We will block violaters and ban repeat offenders.

Breaking News - click here to have the latest delivered to your email box or cell phone