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Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced legislation to put a moratorium on permitting mountaintop removal coal mining until questions about health effects are resolved. This move would block permits for new or expanded surface mine sites in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia until the EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences issue peer-reviewed research concluding that communities surrounding the mines do not face significant health risks. The bill would also require OSM to assess and collect a one-time fee from each person that is conducting a mountaintop removal coal mining project.
The bill is not expected to move in this Congress and will be watched for further action.
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On Wednesday, June 20 and West Virginia’s Birthday a gathering of the ten finalists along with their parents joined sponsors at West Virginia Wesleyan College to honor the nominees and announce the winner of the 2012 West Virginia Scholarship.
The nominees and their respective schools were: Jackson Carey, Brooke High School; Andrew Mellert, Ripley High School; Emily Stasny, Richwood High School; Mary Casto, Musselman High School; Jordan Danko, Ann Flesher & Kathalyn Maxon, Ravenswood High School; Summer Peyton, Logan High School; Rachel Ransom, Jefferson High School; and, Allie Roberts, Parkersburg High School.
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In December, 2009, U.S. Senator Robert Byrd delivered one of the most critical speeches of the latter part of his storied career. Byrd called for an “open and honest dialog about coal’s future.”
Byrd questioned the future of mountaintop removal mining, acknowledged the “mounting science of climate change,” called out the coal industry for “fear mongering” and “grandstanding” and called for the industry to “embrace the future” by working with Congress and regulatory agencies.
It was a politically explosive speech; one that ran counter to the traditional tack taken by coalfield politicians from West Virginia. But he was Robert Byrd, the iconic West Virginia figure whose considerable political capital made him unbeatable on Election Day.
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