Is it possible to restore a landscape damaged by uranium? Ask the Navajo in New Mexico.
PEC
Gov. McDonnell’s Uranium Mining Group: Putting the Cart Before the Horse
In 2007, Virginia Uranium, LLC, (VUI) began lobbying hard for the General Assembly’s standing moratorium on uranium mining and milling to be lifted. The corporation has big plans to start a mining and milling operation in Pittsylvania County, and PEC and our allies have fought them every step of the way. There is simply too much at stake. Uranium mining and milling in Virginia would be an extremely dangerous experiment. In the United States, uranium has only been mined in arid regions— where low rainfall makes it more feasible to contain the radioactive and toxic mining waste. Virginia is anything but arid.
Changing Perspectives: My time as a PEC Fellow
PEC’s Fellowship Program, which just finished its sixth year, gives college and graduate students a comprehensive look at the work PEC does in this region—with the hope that the participants will take what they learn in the program into their future careers and communities.
After a Town is Buried, Controversy Still Rages
In Colorado and Virginia residents debate whether proposed uranium mills will help or hinder their economies.
Healthy, Safer Families, and Communities
Arsenic and rocket fuel in our water. Gender-altering hormones and medications in our rivers and streams. PCBs, dioxins and pesticides in breast milk. Lead in children’s toys and women’s lipstick. Hazardous ingredients in air fresheners, development disrupting chemicals in plastic baby bottles and dangerous fumes from vinyl shower curtains. Our world is awash in chemicals and pollutants that pose health risks to our families, our communities and our environment.
Hike Revisits Life in the Mountains
In the foothills of Greene County, on May 5, the woods were brilliant with lush spring growth. A gravel road led up and up into the hills; eventually it would end at the border of Shenandoah National Park. Down a long drive, set deep in the forest was an old house—a sturdy two-story frame cabin with a welcoming front porch, at the edge of a clear, rushing stream.
Sketches with Jeff – Part 1 & 2
PEC's Charlottesville & Albemarle Field Officer, Jeff Werner, has been struggling for many years with how to explain the issues surrounding the proposed Rt. 29 Western Bypass. He decided to give drawing a shot.
Virginia’s Six-Year Plan for Transportation
If you've ever wondered what roads will be built or what new transit options are going to exist in the near term –The Commonwealth Transportation Board has released its working draft of Virginia's Six-Year Improvement Program for comments, due by Friday, May 18, 2012.
The recently released draft plan covers 2013-2018 and it includes all of the proposed highway, road and bridge projects as well as rail, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation improvements across the state — with a total associated cost of $10.6 billion.
About Us
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) was founded in 1972 to promote and protect the Virginia Piedmont’s rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty. Headquartered in Warrenton, VA, we have offices throughout a nine county Piedmont region that includes Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties.
On the Ground Conservation
PEC thanks everyone who protected their land in 2011—preserving the Piedmont’s natural heritage for generations to come. Read a brief story from each of our 9 counties.