Page 40 - Surface Mining News Today

What are your thoughts about the coal mining industry in this part of the world? >> as far as im concerned, coal is on its way out. i mean, i dont believe coals coming back. >> why do you think that is? >> because its time for a change. sustainable energy, renewable energy. its coming. ive seen my fathers literally smother to death. all these guys have given their lives for the coal industry. >> so you think coal mining is hard on the community? >> yeah, with the mountain top removal and all thi...

>> oh, clan with a "c." >> what are your thoughts about the coal mining industry in this part of the world? >> as far as im concerned, coal is on its way out. i mean, i dont believe coals coming back. >> why do you think that is? >> because its time for a change. sustainable energy, renewable energy. its coming. ive seen my fathers literally smother to death. all these guys have given their lives for the coal industry. >> you think coal is hard on the community? >> yeah, with the mountain top re...

>> my mother-in-law she live next door. >> oh clan with a c. >> everythings family oriented basically around here. >> what do you talk be this coal mining industry in this part of the world? >> as far as i was concerned coal was on its way out. i dont believe coal is coming back. >> why do you think that is? >> its time for a change. sustainab sustainab sustainable energy ive seen my father almost sufficient fate to death, everybodys given their lives for the coal industry. >> you think -- >> ye...

Of the waste that comes from surface mining and would have created buffer zones around those waterways. once this rule has been lifted, theres no reason to create those buffer zones. but it was really more than an environmental regulation. republicans in the trump administration looked at it as an issue of jobs. they said it was a jobs-killing regulation. mitch mcconnell, the senate majority leader, comes from kentucky, he agreed. coal mining companies agreed. the congressional research service ...

See how important coal mining is in any given state but we take a look here at west virginia. on the map, google earth right behind me. look. if you ever looked at a satellite image of the states, youre often seeing little gray areas like this. often, very often, especially in west virginia, what youre seeing there are surface coal mines. now, the majority of mining in america, coal mining in america, by far the majority, is surface mining. its not people doing this underground missions. you see...

Of mine workers unions to try to not only get access to workers, organize them, to try to play a role in safety issues. right now in 2010 this particular mine not a union mine. generally speaking does the presence of unions make mines any safer? >> that is a wonderful point to make. virtually all the major accidents and disasters have taken place in non-union mines. really massey energy is infamous not only for their state of violations both with underground and surface mining, but the fact they...

Blankenship at massey energy who have been so willing to throw their weight around in the political arena. the other side is the struggle of mine workers unions to try to not only get access to workers, organize them, to try to play a role in safety issues. right now in 2010 this particular mine not a union mine. generally speaking does the presence of unions make mines any safer? >> that is a wonderful point to make. virtually all the major accidents and disasters have taken place in non-union ...

Dont follow all the safety precautions very precisely, youre going to have situations like this. >> in fact, jeff, everyone ive been reading that in fact mining has gotten safer over the last couple of years. a low number of fatalities. this now with this one event has killed 25 people. its the worst in over two decades. do you think theres going to be a lot of questions about the fact this was, as you said, a gassy mine and whether they were following all the procedures that congress has now ma...

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