Mountaintop Removal
A forum topic for news, comments, and developments that deal with the practice of Mountaintop Removal.
If you are not familiar with what Mountaintop Removal is or why it
is such a big deal... here are a few links to help you get a full grasp
of what it is doing to America ...
www.myspace.com/coalrivermountainwatch
http://headonradionetwork.com/
www.stopmountaintopremoval.org
http://www.burningthefuture.com/
http://www.riseupwestvirginia.blogspot.com/
http://www.hawriverfilms.com/id2.html
Bookmark/Search this post with:
It’s a shame for the
It’s a shame for the modern mankind that – we have knowledge, education, intelligence, technology everything. Still time to time we are doing stupid things like ignorant savage people. Mountain top removal process involves blasting with explosives to remove up to 1,000 vertical feet of mountain to expose underlying coal seams. It will bring a great danger for mankind. But a very small number of people seem to bother about it.
dog breeders
Prenter Water Fund
The Prenter Water Fund came together in the Summer of 2008 a few months after residents of Prenter Hollow found out that the ground water they had used and depended on for generations had been contaminated by coal slurry injections. With high illness rates and a lack of government willingness to help, the people decided to get clean water themselves. With a water truck and storage containers at each house, the people of Prenter will have clean drinking water until a water line can be laid through Prenter Hollow.
For more info, and to help by making a donation, follow this link:
http://www.prenterwaterfund.org/
Prenter Water Fund still needs your help!
Just got this message from Patty Sebok, a Prenter resident who has been on our show before to discuss mountaintop removal and the impact of coal mining on the communities around mining sites. Please help if you can:
Dear Friends,
I know some of you know of Prenter's water problems but I'm sending this info because we need help raising funds to keep clean water going to the residents.
I'm just now getting back to work part time after having my gallbladder taken out in Dec. like many other residents in Prenter hollor. My husband has worked underground there for 30 yrs and now he has chronic kidney disease and is in stage 3 damage. I lived there for 30 yrs and we're now finding out that the coal slurry that the coal companies inject into the old underground works has mixed with our underground water aquifer and contaminated our well water. We are trying to force our government to put in PSD supplied water but it is very costly and slow. We also have a lawsuit trying to force the coal companies responible for this pollution to pay for water. Of course I'm sure you know what a long, hard battle that will be. We feel it necessary to get residents clean water ASAP.
So in the mean time we at CRMW and Prenter residents are trying to supply clean water to the residents to cook and drink. This slurry can also enter the body while bathing but they have no other choice.
We currently have given out 150, 55 gallon food grade barrels to store their clean water in. We also have a driver that is paid $10. per hour plus mileage to deliver water each week or biweekly as needed. This has just about exhausted all of our funds so far. We also need around 100 more barrels.
I was wondering if you may have any ideas how we can raise more funds or get donations to keep the clean water going to these residents? If so, please let me know.
I'm going to give you the website so you can look at the videos and photos and this also has a mailing address for donations and a paypal button too.
Please check out: http://www.prenterwaterfund.org
If you know of anyone else who may be able to help raise funds please pass this along.
Thanks so much, Patty
Feds set to ease rules on dumping mining waste near waterways
Posted in the NYT, 10/18/08.
Read the full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/washington/19mining.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq...
Also, see what your connection is to mountaintop mining:
http://www.ilovemountains.org/
You can also fly over these 470+ mountains that have been blown up via google earth (and at ilovemountains.org).
I recently heard Mary Anne Hitt (formerly of Appalachian Voices, now with the Sierra Club) speak about this issue. She is proof that one person can make a difference. Why not join her?!
Judge blocks Hobet mine expansion
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a permit to expand the Hobet 21 mountaintop removal mine along the Boone-Lincoln county line.
Read more:
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200808111074
Debbie Jarrell on The Marc Steiner Show
An interview with Debbie Jarrell, recorded at her home in Rock Creek, West Virginia, will be broadcast on The Marc Steiner Show tomorrow at 9am on WEAA 88.9 FM. Debbie discusses how mountaintop removal and irresponsible coal mining practices have impacted residents of the Coal River Valley, as well as the wind power project that is being developed as an alternative in her community.
To listen to the entire show, which features additional topics before and after Debbie's interview, go to this page
To download an mp3 of Debbie's piece only, click here
Wind Power on Coal River Mountain
Coal River Mountain is one of the last mountains left intact in the beautiful Coal River Valley of West Virginia. However, Massey Energy has plans to mine 6600 acres of the mountain - almost 10 square miles.
Community residents have put forth an alternative plan to develop wind power on this mountain instead of mining it. Go here for more info and to sign a petition supporting their plan!
http://www.coalriverwind.org/
update on protesters arrested in Virginia
here's an update and lots more info, thanks again to Patty:
Forward around. more information at www.blueridgeef.org
Hey all,
So everyone made it out of jail. The Dominion Dozen (not 13 as the police reported). All charged with a couple of misdemeanors and 2000 dollars bail, except for the male climber who was charged 3500, because by the time they were processing him, we already had 3 press hits, and the plea for help up on our website, which the magistrate read and laughed at.
If you can help out, but have not already, its not too late as we are still in need of support for bail fees and the legal fees that will come out of this.
To donate to BREF! please login to your https://www.paypal.com/ account and send your donation to Drumplaya112@yahoo.com
This has been an incredibly successful action, and we learned a lot. This is where the movement is at, and we need more folks stepping up in this way. The press hits keep rolling in, and Dominion has stated that they were significantly effected by our action.
Look for a video soon. If anyone wants to ask questions, either for advice for future actions or for press stuff, feel free to email blueridgeef@yahoo.com or call holly at 864 617 2801.
Some press hits are below. There are pictures at our website www.blueridgeef.org .
Thanks for everything you all do, this action was for everyone fighting the injustices of the energy industry.
WRVA news report, video
http://www.wrva.com/cccommon/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=128979&...
Richmond Times-Dispatch news report, video
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-30-...
NBC 12/AP story
http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=8578890
Daily Press/AP story
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--dominionprotest0630...
Its Getting Hot in Here Blog
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/06/30/actions-speak-louder-than-word...
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/06/30/breaking-young-va-activists-bl...
Raising Kaine Blog
http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=14798
The Coalfield Progress
http://www.thecoalfieldprogress.com/
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Metro Section, p. B1
The Virginian-Pilot
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/13-arrested-richmond-protests-over-new-p...
Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/1/headlines
On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM, Scott Parkin wrote:
No New Coal Plants! (nonewcoalplants@energyjustice.net)
Hey all—I'm in Richmond Va. where there was a lockdown this morning at Dominion's downtown HQ. Four women locked down with lockboxes and a concrete full barrel, while a male climber dangled off a suspension bridge anchored by the barrel. Last week, Virginia's Air Board voted to permit the Wise County plant and now Earth First and Mountain Justice have responded in kind.
The action backed up traffic into downtown Richmond (really pissing off the cops) and they swept up eight support people (who didn't intend to get picked up) as well.
Right now, the media support and jail support teams are working on getting our arrestees out of jail and getting the story out.
Peace, Scott
To donate to BREF! please login to your https://www.paypal.com/ account and send your donation to Drumplaya112@yahoo.com
Here are some links:
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/06/30/actions-speak-louder-than-word...
http://flickr.com/photos/rainforestactionnetwork/sets/72157605898047518/
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-30-...
12 arrested in protest of new coal-fired power plant in Virginia
Thanks to Patty Sebok for sending me all of the following info about this protest Monday.
On the day Dominion Virginia Power began construction of a coal-fired power plant in Southwest Virginia, 12 people were arrested in Richmond for protesting the plant.
btw the last posted link from Hampton Roads.com has lots of reader comments, please go to this link and post your own comments:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=%22Earth+First%22+Rich...
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1728286/
Dominion protesters appear in court; trial date set
Tuesday, July 01, 2008; Posted: 04:22 PM
Twelve political activists arrested yesterday for a protest that blockaded the entrance to Dominion Resources corporate headquarters will face trial July 29 in Richmond General District Court.
All could face time in jail -- up to 12 months each for obstruction of justice and up to six months each for impeding a rescue vehicle -- as well as potential fines of $2,500 and $1,000 on the respective charges.
The activists, representing Blue Ridge Earth First!, also may face a demand from the city for restitution to cover the cost of police, fire and rescue personnel at the protest.
"I have no doubt that the city will be asking to recover the money, whether by criminal penalties or civil action remains to be seen," Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring said today.
The protest blocked Tredegar Street at Dominion's gate beneath the Lee Bridge and caused a traffic jam at morning rush hour that reached to Powhite Parkway.
Herring said he would seek jail time for the protesters but acknowledged the hazard of providing a further political platform. "There has to be a proper balance between the constitutional rights of expression on one hand, and public order and property on the other," he said.
All but one of the "Tredegar 12" were appointed lawyers by General District Judge Thomas O. Jones. One, 22-year-old Marley Green of Harrisonburg, did not qualify for a court-appointed lawyer because of his income.
Green was the most visible player in yesterday's protest. He dangled in a climber's harness from the pedestrian footbridge to Belle Isle for more than two hours, while four other protesters blocked the street with their hands locked into containers of hardened cement.
Earth First! spokeswoman Hannah Morgan said today that an attorney has offered to represent Green without charge. Morgan also called on the city to drop charges against protesters who were arrested in a support role, after obeying police orders to move out of the roadway.
The protest was aimed primarily at Dominion Virginia Power's plans to build a 585-megawatt coal-fired plant in Wise County. The utility announced late yesterday that it has begun construction of the plant, after securing state air pollution permits.
Thomas E. Farrell II, Dominion chairman and chief executive officer, also said yesterday that the utility will attempt to build a third nuclear reactor at its North Anna power plant in Louisa County. The Earth First! protest also targeted Virginia Power's plans for expanding North Anna.
"We didn't meant to cause any harm to the city," Green said in statement released by Morgan. "We felt the action was a necessary step that had to take place. Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or mmartz@timesdispatch.com.
http://www.wrva.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=128979...
VIDEO: Coal Protestors Protest Dominion
Upset Over Proposed Wise County Plant; 13 Arrested
By 1140wrva.com
Monday, June 30, 2008
Richmond, VA (1140wrva.com)
Richmond Police arrested 13 protestors along Tredegar Street this monring, four of which formed a human chain with their hands stuck in cement. A fifth suspended himself from the Belle Isle footbridge. Their issue: Dominion's proposed Wise County coal plant, which just received approval from the State Air Pollution Control Board last week.
The protest prevented Dominion employees from getting to the Tredegar offices while police caught the protestors out of the cement. Blue Ridge Earth First! Spokeswoman Hannah Morgan says the plant will pollute the air, cause global warming, and lead to mountain top removal for coal. The protestors are pushing conservation, solar and wind power.
Dominion has long maintained the plant is necessary to meet growing demand. Spokesman Karl Neddenien says it will also have strict pollution controls. Neddenien also says Dominion respects peaceful protest, but cannot condone breaking the law.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--dominionprotest0630...
13 protesters who blocked Dominion offices charged
By the Associated Press
June 30, 2008
RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond police have charged 13 protesters who blocked the entrance to Dominion Virginia Power's corporate offices, tying up Monday-morning traffic.
The protest against Dominion's planned coal-fired power plant in Wise County started about 7:30 a.m. Protesters were charged with various misdemeanors, including impeding traffic.
The protesters said they were members of Blue Ridge Earth First! and were protesting the state Air Pollution Control Board's approval last week of pollution permits for Dominion's 585-megawatt power plant.
Police said in a release that four protesters each had one hand in a 55-gallon drum of cement. They blocked the street and another dangled from a nearby footbridge.
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-01-...
Protest of power plant leads to 12 arrests
Activists, including one dangling from footbridge, block traffic in Richmond
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 - 12:08 AM Updated: 07:55 AM
Photo Video
A protester rappels from the Belle Island Bridge as police wait for him on the ground. (MICHAEL MARTZ/RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH)
By MICHAEL MARTZ
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
On the day Dominion Virginia Power began construction of a coal-fired power plant in Southwest Virginia, 12 people were arrested in Richmond for protesting the plant.
The protesters yesterday blocked the entrance to the corporate headquarters of Dominion Virginia Power's parent company, Dominion Resources.
The activists blocked Tredegar Street for more than two hours, with four college students forming a human chain with their hands encased in containers of concrete and a fifth dangling by a climber's harness from the Lee Bridge footbridge that leads to Belle Isle.
The protesters -- all part of a contingent of more than 20 members of Blue Ridge Earth First! -- were arrested on misdemeanor charges.
Hannah Morgan, a 19-year-old resident of Appalachia, a town in Wise County, acted as spokeswoman for the group. She said the organization does not have an official membership roll but has attracted involvement from around the state.
Last week, the state Air Pollution Control Board approved pollution permits for the $1.8 billion, 585-megawatt power plant in Wise. That was the last regulatory hurdle keeping Dominion Virginia Power from beginning construction.
Blue Ridge Earth First! and a group called Mountain Justice say the plant will emit too much mercury and carbon dioxide, promote strip mining for coal in Southwest Virginia and cost consumers too much for electricity.
"We've been through the regulatory process -- it's time to take action on our own," Morgan said.
"We will not stop until Dominion stops," she said.
Also positioned to fight Dominion is the Southern Environmental Law Center, which has an office in Charlottesville. Officials at the center said last week that the organization plans to challenge Virginia Power's project in court.
Police yesterday charged the protesters with impeding traffic, spokeswoman Karla Peters said. By 6:30 p.m., Morgan said, all 12 who had been arrested were released after posting bond -- $2,000 for 11 and $3,500 for the protester who suspended himself from the bridge.
During the protest, Dominion employees were forced to walk to work after their vehicles were caught in a traffic jam that extended up North Fifth and Byrd streets, and the Downtown Expressway to Powhite Parkway.
"Dominion respects peaceful protest," company spokesman Karl Neddenien said yesterday. "However, we do not condone illegal activities, such as the blocking of the road and preventing our employees from getting to work."
Dominion employs about 640 people at its corporate headquarters, including the company's top executives. "It did affect the operability at Tredegar. . . . It had a significant effect," Neddenien said.
The person with the best view of the traffic jam was Marley Green, a 22-year-old senior at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. It was Green, who grew up in Hamilton in Loudoun County, who climbed to the footbridge and lowered himself to dangle above Tredegar Street. His rope was attached to a 55-gallon drum, filled with concrete, in the middle of the street.
"Certainly, it's a risk," Green said in a cell phone conversation before lowering himself to the street about 9:25 a.m. "But it's one I'm willing to take, and one that needs to be taken, to show how reckless Dominion's plans are."
Morgan said Green descended out of concern for the safety of police officers who were preparing to climb out and lower him to the street.
James Madison students Bethany Spitzer, Alyssa Barrett and Holly Garrett and Virginia Tech student Kaitlyn Hart all had their hands anchored in concrete blocks.
The four used climbing carabiners to latch their wrists to bolts inside the concrete, and their arms were protected by a plastic and wire sleeve, said Richmond Fire Department Lt. Michael Oprandy. After firefighters began cutting into the blocks to reach the bolts, the protesters agreed to remove their hands voluntarily, Oprandy said.
Among its previous activities, Blue Ridge Earth First! protested Dominion's plans to build a third nuclear reactor at its North Anna power plant in Louisa County.
Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or mmartz@timesdispatch.com.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/1/headlines
13 Arrested At Coal Plant Protest in Virginia
In environmental news, 13 activists were arrested Monday as they blockaded the offices of Dominion Power in Richmond Virginia to protest the company's decision to build a new coal-fired power plant in Virginia. The group Blue Ridge Earth First said it would continue to protest at Dominion until the company cancels plans to build the coal plant and stops burning coal mined through mountaintop removal.
http://www.richmond.com/news-features/24720
Though unrelated to the power increase, five protestors took aim at Dominion this morning after the state Air Pollution Control Board gave the company permission to build a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant in Wise County.
Early this morning, four people intertwined their arms and buried their hands in a 55-gallon drum of cement and sat on the footbridge from Tredegar Street, near Dominion's offices, to Belle Isle. A fifth person was suspended from a rope attached to that drum of cement, and was hanging over the James River, according to news reports.
All five were arrested by Richmond police about 9:30 a.m. The protesters are members of Blue Ridge Earth First.
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2008/06/13-arrested-during-protes...
13 arrested during protest over Va. coal plant
A week after leading climate scientist James Hansen called for radical steps to prevent environmental chaos caused by greenhouse gas pollution, 13 people were arrested today during a blockade of Dominion's Richmond headquarters to protest the granting of an air permit earlier this month for the company's planned new coal-burning power plant in Wise County, Va.
During the protest involving members of Blue Ridge Earth First!, four women locked themselves together and to a concrete-filled barrel while a man using climbing gear dangled off a suspension bridge. Eight supporters watching from the sidelines were also arrested. The action snarled traffic for miles.
There have been other direct-action protests this year against coal plants in North Carolina, Texas, and Kentucky. And in the United Kingdom earlier this month, climate activists occupied a coal train on its way to a power plant.
Last week, Virginia's Air Pollution Control Board approved pollution permits for Dominion's proposed Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, which would burn a mix of coal and other polluting fuels including bituminous coal waste commonly known as "gob." The company said the permit decision "paves the way for us to start construction in the very near future."
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/13-arrested-richmond-protests-over-new-p...
13 arrested in Richmond protests over new power plant
Video: Electricity bills will jump 18%
By Scott Harper
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 1, 2008
Thirteen environmental activists were arrested Monday after they chained themselves to the headquarters of Dominion Virginia Power in downtown Richmond, causing a morning traffic jam but no injuries.
Four activists encased their hands in 55-gallon drums of cement. Another suspended himself from a footbridge near the James River before coming down voluntarily when Richmond police and firefighters arrived.
The activists were protesting Dominion's plans to build a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant in Wise County in southwest Virginia - a project that they and other environmentalists have argued would perpetuate mountaintop coal removal, global warming, smog and water pollution.
The State Corporation Commission already has approved the plant, and the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board last week adopted permits for the power station that will significantly limit mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions.
Dominion put out a news release late Monday saying that its hired crews had begun construction of the plant that day. It is scheduled to open in 2012, though environmental groups say they will contest state permits in court.
"Dominion respects peaceful protests. However, we don't condone illegal acts, such as blocking roads, that prevent our employees from coming to work and performing their role of keeping the lights on and energy flowing for our millions of customers," the state's largest electric utility said in a statement.
Those arrested identified themselves as members of Blue Ridge Earth First and Mountain Justice and said they were from southwest Virginia. A spokeswoman for the groups, Hilary Lufkin, said most were students from James Madison University and Virginia Tech.
The activists were forcibly removed by police after firefighters cut their chains or removed their hands from the cement. They were charged with various misdemeanors, including impeding traffic, according to a statement from the Richmond Police Department.
Scott Harper, (757) 446-22340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com
Katherine Pancake interview on Youtube
Check out this interview with Black Diamonds filmmaker Catherine Pancake, filmed after a screening of her film in Baltimore on Monday.
"...I think it's a moral issue that needs to be resolved by federal legislation..."
al gore condemns mountaintop removal
This article from Grist yesterday contains the following quote from Al Gore:
"Mountaintop removal is a crime and ought to be treated as a crime."
I'm waiting for the arrests to begin...
Blast Tears Through Ukrainian Mine, 37 Missing
from the NY Times today, courtesy of Reuters:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-ukraine-mine.html?_r=...
excerpts:
"Gas explosions are a frequent occurrence in Ukraine's outdated mines, many of which are unprofitable and date from the 19th century. Many coal deposits are at a depth of 1 km or more, making mining operations more difficult."
"Ukrainian miners were in the forefront of forces seeking change in the dying days of communism, but post-Soviet authorities have come under pressure to shut down the pits.
Eleven miners were killed in the last explosion in the Donbass coalfield two weeks ago. Three blasts at the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk late last year killed 106 men in two weeks."
8 year old burned by coal dust fire
Patty Seebok sent me the story below, from Fox News. Patty is a community activist in West Virginia. She has been on the Marc Steiner Show before and we wrote about her on the blog recently:
http://www.centerforemergingmedia.com/blog/day-2-coal-river-valley
We'll be featuring an interview with her, as well as some of her photography, soon!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,363264,00.html
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Coal dust sparked an invisible fire that heated the soil to 800 degrees and burned the feet of an 8-year-old boy, firefighters said.
Matt Bershinski walked into the fire Monday as he was playing in a park. It melted a plastic clogs to one of his feet and left him with second-degree burns.
There were no smoke or flames, which led firefighters to first suspect an underground mine was burning. Mining experts and geologists ruled that out but found a 2-foot-deep layer of coal dust.
Hot weather and sunshine may have ignited the dust, authorities said.
Al Amundson of the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety said coal is constantly oxidizing and can ignite if the heat from oxidization is not carried away by wind.
Officials believe the dust was dumped by workers from a mine that closed in 1957.
coal in the news
The NY Times has a front page article today with the headline "Mounting Costs Slow the Push for Clean Coal." Read it here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/business/30coal.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ore...
Anyone have any thoughts on it? Seems like the mainstream media too often isn't questioning the idea of "clean coal" and sticking to the idea that it is a cheap source of energy, without delving into a full of analysis of what its use is really costing us.
Today's articles is part of the NY Times' "Energy Challenge" series, which does have a lot of interesting articles, including many on coal. Check out the whole series here:
http://nytimes.com/ref/science/earth/energy.html
Outraged
It's disgusting how WE (yes, I said we) allow this stuff to go on. Obviously we aren't making enough noise because I'm sure that if people knew the truth they'd have thrown out all the crooks in D.C. a long time ago (and that includes Bobby Byrd). I'm outraged because other people are making a profit while harming MY health, YOUR health, and OUR planet! It's disgusting and I don't see how other people think this is ok! And to everyone who says that government agencies (like the EPA or locally, MDE) have laws in place to protect us I will laugh in your face and call you a damn fool because they DON'T CARE. I've witnessed on two separate occasions MDE favor business over health. I was even told by an MDE official on one of those occasions that he wasn't shutting the place down because he "didn't want the place to lose money". What?! This is just a local example involving a local business....can you imagine what goes on behind closed doors with these coal companies?! We need to hold our representatives' feet to the fire and demand action. We need an Environmental Inquisition.
MTR and other mining methods outside of West Virginia
There's been some questions and discussion on one of our blog posts (http://www.centerforemergingmedia.com/blog/day-2-coal-river-valley) regarding mountain top removal outside of West Virginia. I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with how extensively MTR is used in different areas, both in the US and internationally, and could share some information here.
Also, I think it would be useful to explain some of the issues associated with different methods of mining, as well as the processing and burning of coal.
Carol A. Ross: Byrd did nothing to stop destruction of mountains
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x269833516
May 27, 2008 @ 09:33 PM
The Herald-Dispatch
In the opinion of Hillary Clinton, no man has loved a state more than Sen.
Robert C. Byrd loves West Virginia. Did Mrs. Clinton actually have time to look
at West Virginia while she was here? Did she ever get out to see the reality of
mountain range removal? It has been called the "largest environmental disaster
in North America" and is a national disgrace. Hopefully, she took the time to at
least fly over and witness the blasted, irreparable landscape, the ruined waters
and the destroyed lives. These are all stark testimony of how much Robert Byrd
loves West Virginia.
No one person could have done more to prevent this environmental catastrophe
than Mr. Byrd, but in reality, no one did more to facilitate its ease and speed.
Helping it happen has been an active, open-for-business part of his platform. I
have heard Mr. Byrd, a fervent Christian, speak eloquently of heaven and hell. I
reckon the latter will look a lot like southern West Virginia.
Carol A. Ross is a resident of Glenville, W.Va.
I Agree!
I couldn't agree more with Carol.
Capito to seek ethanol-style mandate for coal-to-liquids
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200805270535
May 28, 2008
Capito to seek ethanol-style mandate for coal-to-liquids
By The Associated Press
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito wants Congress to mandate domestic production of 6
billion gallons of liquid fuel from coal annually by 2022.
The Republican congresswoman said Tuesday the requirement is part of
legislation she plans to introduce next week.
"Our nation's coal reserves are larger than the combined oil reserves of the
rest of the world. We've seen enough excuses and it's time to get serious
about coal-to-liquids,'' Capito said in a statement. "The technology is
there, but we've under-invested.''
The legislation is modeled on ethanol fuel targets already enacted by
Congress and would require steady increases in the amount of aviation fuel,
motor vehicle fuel, heating oil and boiler fuel sold in the U.S., Capito
said.
Multiple sites in West Virginia are under consideration for coal-to-liquids
plants, along with sites in Ohio, Kentucky and several other states.
While coal-to-liquids isn't used in the U.S., it's been around for decades.
Germany relied on coal for liquid fuel during World War II and South Africa
has long relied on coal for about 30 percent of its transportation fuel.
More recently, China and other countries have been investing in
coal-to-liquids technology.
Environmental groups oppose the idea. They contend the process could
generate too much carbon dioxide and increase coal mining.
Capito, however, said modern technology can convert coal to clean,
sulfur-free synthetic oil and fuel for about $35 to $45 a barrel.
Crude oil prices were hovering around $130 a barrel Tuesday.
"Coal-to-liquids can be clean, it can be produced domestically, it will
create American jobs, it's economically viable and it's the right thing for
West Virginia,'' Capito said.
Get Serious, People!!!
This coal-to-liquids b.s. is just another ploy to further the coal industries grip in an ever failing world's battle with energy concerns.
Do we have huge coal reserves? Sure. Does that mean it is a good idea to use it? NO! The time has past for coal to liquids to be implemented in the US, or anywhere else for that matter. The emissions are outrageous!!! The process of coal extraction and it's side effects are killing people throughout Appalachia! We need to invest in clean, renewable energy to insure the future of our existence on this planet! Think Green! Wind and Solar power are proven technologies and we should be investing in furthering these technologies. For the sake of all mankind. Not for the sake of creating jobs! Such a worry is minuscule in times as dire as these!
The fact is coal-to-liquids is a bad idea. Global warming is not gonna fix itself. Everyone in the entire world should most certainly oppose this idea!!!
If you think this is a good idea, I have some snake oil to sell you!
coal-to-liquid
Thanks for posting this article, Nick. I've heard a lot of negative opinions on coal-to-liquid recently, but I think it's something many people don't know much about.
Can anyone lay out some of the pros and cons of turning coal into liquid fuel, and point us in the direction of more information on the process?
Proposed Legislation Against Mining In NC
http://www.wvva.com/News/index.php?ID=23421
Proposed Legislation Against Mining In NC
Coal River Mountain Watch, a West Virginia based group against mountain top
removal mining, looks forward to proposed legislation in North Carolina.
State Representative Pricey Harrison, of Guilford County in North Carolina
and Appalachian Voices announced the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act,
a bill to end the use of coal obtained from mountaintop removal.
If this legislation passes, Vernon Haltom, co-director of Coal River
Mountain Watch, believes this could change the current perception of this
kind of mining.
Haltom says, "It's an important step toward renewable energy future that we
really need to move to right away. We don't have time to drag our feet.
We've got a climate crisis looming. We've got communities now that are
threatened."
If passed, North Carolina would be the first state in the nation to
implement legislation to stop mountain top removal mining.
North Carolina bill introduced to end mountaintop removal mining
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x1657961100
May 27, 2008 @ 05:46 PM
Herald-Dispatch.com
RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, Representative Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) and
Appalachian Voices announced the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act, a bill
to end the use of coal obtained from mountaintop removal mining – a
controversial form of strip mining. If passed, North Carolina would be the
first state in the nation to implement such legislation.
"Right now, North Carolina is one of the nation's top consumers of coal from
mountaintop removal mining," said Rep. Harrison. "That needs to
change. Mountaintop removal coal mining presents a clear and present
danger to the Appalachian Mountains, which are home to a vibrant and indelible
culture, stunning biodiversity and enormous economic potential."
Mountaintop removal coal mining is an extremely destructive form of strip
mining found throughout Appalachia, with some mines as big as the island of
Manhattan. Coalfield residents say that it tears apart communities,
poisons water supplies, pollutes the air and destroys our nation's natural
heritage – while only making the climate crisis worse.
"The mountains being destroyed by mountaintop removal here in eastern
Kentucky are very similar to the mountains of western North Carolina," said Teri
Blanton of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. "Mountaintop removal is destroying
our culture and biodiversity across Appalachia, and we are pleased to see that
the people of North Carolina, who value their mountains, recognize the
connection and want to treat all the mountains of the region with the same
respect."
Thirteen North Carolina power plants purchase coal from mountaintop removal
mine sites, according to the records included in the My Connection tool created
by Appalachian Voices, online at www.ilovemountains.org.
"With this landmark legislation, North Carolina has a chance to lead the
nation in calling for an end to highly destructive and unnecessary mountaintop
removal mining," said Mary Anne Hitt, Executive Director of Appalachian
Voices. "North Carolinians know we can find better ways to generate
electricity."
Sixty-one percent of the electricity used to power North Carolina homes and
businesses is generated by coal-fired power plants. Nationwide, North
Carolina is second only to Georgia in its use of mountaintop removal
coal.
Rory McIlmoil's Thesis on Mountain Top Removal
Rory McIlmoil's Thesis on Mountain Top Removal
One Step Back Toward "Almost Heaven"
A Production-Based Proposal for the Elimination of Mountaintop Removal Coal
Mining in West Virginia
http://american.edu/sis/gep/studentresearch.html
a few videos to check out ...
Mountaintop Removal Movie from iLoveMountains.org
Toxic West Virginia: Mountaintop Removal- Episode 1
Rise Up West Virginia - Heaven n Hell
Mountaintop Removal in KY and WV
ASA 2008 Judy Bonds (w/ intro by ShirleyStewartBurns) Part 1
ASA 2008 Judy Bonds (Part 2)
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