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Somebody Famous Who WAS in Appalachia
Most of the attention on the Appalachian Trail recently has focused on the man who was famously not there -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. But actress Daryl Hannah, NASA climate scientist James Hansen, and former Rep. Ken Hechler (D-W.Va.) would like you to know that they actually were in the Appalachian Mountains -- and they have the arrest records to prove it.
They were among more than 30 people arrested last week as they protested mountaintop-removal coal mining at a mine in West Virginia. As the name suggests, mountaintop-removal mining uses explosives to level off the top of a mountain and get to the coal below.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. weighed in on the practice in Friday's Washington Post, calling it "the worst environmental tragedy in American history" and seeking action from the president. Hansen, one of the earliest to warn of the link between climate change and increased greenhouse emissions, has also called for political action, pointing out that the coal produced from mountaintop-removal mining isn't a significant amount -- less than eight percent of coal in the United States.
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They were among more than 30 people arrested last week as they protested mountaintop-removal coal mining at a mine in West Virginia. As the name suggests, mountaintop-removal mining uses explosives to level off the top of a mountain and get to the coal below.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. weighed in on the practice in Friday's Washington Post, calling it "the worst environmental tragedy in American history" and seeking action from the president. Hansen, one of the earliest to warn of the link between climate change and increased greenhouse emissions, has also called for political action, pointing out that the coal produced from mountaintop-removal mining isn't a significant amount -- less than eight percent of coal in the United States.
Coal is still a major source of energy in the United States, but the environmental cost of mountaintop removal mining doesn't seem to be justified -- particularly since returning the mountain to its original state isn't a possibility. Nor is there a compelling economic rationale for continuing. Once a major employer in the area, the mining industry has become increasingly automated. Kennedy points out that today only 2 percent of jobs in Central Appalachia are related to mining.
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Comments (7)
RIChris
9:09PM Jul 3rd 2009
Only 2% of jobs in Central Appalachia are related to mining. With unemployment at 9.5%, it would be vitally important to those 2% whose jobs depend on it.
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(3) 
Jenny
11:49AM Jul 4th 2009
The UMWA should stop all coal production in WV, KY and TN for one month.
That should pretty much shut the power off for most of the North East US. The same people complaining about coal production and power plant emissions will be the ones crying for thier beloved electricity! Those of us in Appalachia know how to live without electric. Its the tree-huggin liberals in NY and CA that will suffer when WV has reached its cap and has nothing for trade. Go Bama go! Better install some windmills and solar cells at the White House!
That should pretty much shut the power off for most of the North East US. The same people complaining about coal production and power plant emissions will be the ones crying for thier beloved electricity! Those of us in Appalachia know how to live without electric. Its the tree-huggin liberals in NY and CA that will suffer when WV has reached its cap and has nothing for trade. Go Bama go! Better install some windmills and solar cells at the White House!
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(4) Mari Katherine
5:56PM Jul 4th 2009
I agree. They say they have alternative energy. Let's make them prove it. I would be willing to give up a couple of paydays if it would shut them up. But keep trying to take our jobs and our livlihood away and see what happens. Go back to your own Billboard lit-up, energy sucking states and leave us alone.
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(0) MU4U
11:19PM Jul 4th 2009
I live in WV and I agree that ALL mountain top removal should stop. A few jobs might be lost but it will not affect the production of coal in WV. And nothing will replace the beauty of our mountains. I also want all wind power devices removed from our mountains. They are nearly as ugly as mountaintop removal. Let these power hungry outsiders take these devices to their sea shores and hills and and put them where the sun doesn't shine.
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(3) el burpo
12:21AM Jul 5th 2009
Robert F Kennedy Jr might actually have a little more credibility if he didn't refer to EVERY environmentally unfriendly practice he comes across as the worst of the worst and if his family wasn't so vehemently opposed to putting the "Cape Wind" alternative energy source within sailing distance of their own backyard.
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(3) Amy
4:09AM Jul 5th 2009
I understand that MTR only contributes to 2% of jobs as this person stated....BUT where I live it's way more than 2%. The community that I live in would CRUMBLE if those jobs were lost right now. I do understand the environmental issues that these HIGH profile people are fighting for, but what about the economical issues that are plaguing our country right now? I suppose we should just let the government take care of us? All go on welfare checks? NO..we need to make a living as best we can!! As for the ones who got arrested? oh SO what! BIG DEAL. You step into the state of WV to PROTEST our means of making a living and then hop back on a jet and go back cities that use SO much of our precious coal to keep yourselves comfortable and in luxury. How FOOLISH is that? HOW irrational? These publicity eager people need to get behind a 'cause' that doesn't make them look SO hypocritical.
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(3) kathy
4:20AM Jul 5th 2009
All 6 who posted above, I agree wholeheartedly!
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