It’s Getting Hot In Here

Last month the Montana land board voted to award Arch Coal a huge new contract to mine a vast chunk of Montana, Otter Creek Valley. The move was hotly contested by environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Northern Rockies Rising Tide.  But now MT Governor Brian Schweitzer has taken the rotten deal a step further, blackmailing local officials in an effort to build public support for the new coal deal.  He promised funding for local projects that have been short on cash since the economic downturn in return for “a letter confirming that you support the use of coal money for the completion of your project/projects.”

“Governor Schweitzer hasn’t been able to win public sentiment for his proposed coal mine, and now he seems to be trying to extort support from county officials,” said Brad Hash, a Sierra Club representative in Montana.

Schweitzer, trying to explain the letter, said, “There are certain communities in Montana, whether because they don’t live near hydrocarbon production or other reasons, simply don’t like resources from coal to come to their community,” Mr. Schweitzer said, “and if there’s anybody like that, they need to tell me now.”

So, I suggest we tell him.  MT doesn’t need his dirty coal money or his extortion.  Is it just me, or does corruption and injustice just seem to cling to coal like white on rice?