Lawmakers discussed lifting Virginia's 30-year-old uranium mining ban in Richmond on Monday.
Members of the Coal and Energy Commission voted in support of developing mining regulations.
This is a small step toward lifting the ban, or developing rules and regulations, but still an enormous leap forward for those fighting for the chance to mine uranium in Southside.
The Coal and Energy Commission voted 11 to 2 - with three members abstaining - to support the development of regulations governing mining and milling of uranium in Pittsylvania County.
Senator John Watkins will introduce a bill next week that would lift the ban, and establish regulations on uranium mining. He says Monday was just the beginning of the discussion.
