Update: Two Coal River Residents meet with Gov. Manchin at his office; Seven sitting in until Manchin acts to save Coal River Mountain.
Coal River Valley Residents Demand Prevention of Blasting Coal River Mountain
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – At noon seven people will deliver a letter of concerns and personal statements regarding Massey Energy’s imminent mountaintop removal coal mining on Coal River Mountain to Joe Manchin at the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion. The deliverers have stated that they will refuse to leave until the letter is received and Manchin agrees to the community’s demands. The letter is signed by 13 residents of the Coal River Valley, at least four of whom will be present at today’s event.
The seven citizens to deliver the document are associated with Mountain Justice and Climate Ground Zero. In addition to Manchin, Coal River Valley residents are sending the document to the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Surface Mining, Mining Safety and Health Administation, WV Department of Environmental Protection, Post-mine Land Use Committee of the W.Va. State Government, Representative Nick Rahall, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Senator Robert Byrd and President Obama.
This will be the sixteenth action in a series of non-violent civil disobedience actions that have resulted in over one hundred arrests on mountaintop removal sites and at government and corporate offices across West Virginia. Coal River Valley residents have touted wind energy development as a viable alternative to the industry-projected 17 years of strip mining on Coal River Mountain.
The document can be viewed and downloaded here.
Editor’s Note: Photos, Video, and updates here.
In another report I have read here coal will only last 14 more years. In this report 17 years. You folks are not consistent in anything except being arrested. As if that were a badge of honor. Truth is, WV has more coal than you folks wish to tell. 13 people want to put thousands out of work. What are you thinking? Drive to a town founded by coal. When coal was no longer mined, what happened to the town? Nothing but debris. Is that what you are hoping for southern West Virginia? If we have no jobs, who will stay? Who will fix your roads, go to your school, work at your hospital, need your buisness. West Virginia is known for people that will work, people that support the military. People that will mine coal. I am proud to be part of West Virginia. I served in the military, I will work, I AM A MINER. I promise not to go to other parts of the country and stick my nose in their buisness. I will not try to change who they are, take away their heritage, or their future. Both of my great grandfathers died from injuries received in the mines. West Virginia and the great USA need this coal. I plan to do my part to see they get it. In the morning I will go to work, you will be arrested. Your welcome, my tax dollars will help provide your meal and any other things that are needed. Kinda funny huh? Coal will even feed you in jail.