In the Uranium Study Group report, the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce says, “Virginia should be wary of computer modeling of predicted future outcomes.” They say computer modeling of possible uranium diffusion through the water table shouldn’t be used because it’s unreliable.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we find out that this statement is false. The cited source for the claim comes from an organization called Earthworks that is dedicated to protecting the environment. The Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy should just do Earthworks a favor and ask Virginia Tech and the National Academy of Sciences to study the reliability of computer modeling. Earthworks should welcome the chance to prove themselves right.
It’s ironic that environmental groups like Earthworks are condemning computer modeling because these groups have inundated the airwaves with claims that global warming is happening and they have the “scientific evidence” to prove it. Considering their dependence on scientific evidence to prove that global warming is real, it would be hypocritical of environmental groups if they condemned the use of computer modeling in the study of uranium.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we find out that this statement is false. The cited source for the claim comes from an organization called Earthworks that is dedicated to protecting the environment. The Virginia Commission on Coal and Energy should just do Earthworks a favor and ask Virginia Tech and the National Academy of Sciences to study the reliability of computer modeling. Earthworks should welcome the chance to prove themselves right.
It’s ironic that environmental groups like Earthworks are condemning computer modeling because these groups have inundated the airwaves with claims that global warming is happening and they have the “scientific evidence” to prove it. Considering their dependence on scientific evidence to prove that global warming is real, it would be hypocritical of environmental groups if they condemned the use of computer modeling in the study of uranium.
If the VCCE study finds that computer modeling is reliable, then computer modeling should be used when we all interpret its conclusion.
1 comment:
Chris, it looks like you'd be surprised to know that we already asked your modeling question.
I don't think you'll find the answers agree with your biases. You can read about it here:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/publications.cfm?pubID=212
Know that we took your advice in advance. The co-author of the report is a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Earth Resources.
Also, know that the same authors published a companion report comparing actual water quality at mines vs. what was predicted by the mining operator (including those using models). Long story short, 75% of mines that predicted compliance with water quality standards, didn't.
Report is here:
http://www.earthworksaction.org/publications.cfm?pubID=211
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