If we want to maximize coal mining jobs in West Virginia, it's time to put an indefinite moratorium on any new mountain top removal mining. Gov. Manchin could do this with the stroke of a pen--after 30 years of mountain top mining, approximate original contour still remains undefined. It is time for Gov. Manchin to correct this. Until existing mountain top removal mining is well regulated we should not allow any expansion of mountain top removal mining.
Coal Demand Down
Demand for coal is down. Way down. We're going to see a lot more stories like this: Patriot Coal plans to cut production by two million tons (emphasis mine):
Patriot Coal says it's cutting another 2 million tons of southern West Virginia production due to weak market conditions.
St. Louis-based Patriot says it's idling two contract mines that produce metallurgical coal at its Wells complex.
[snip]
Patriot says its also going to take Saturdays off at its Hobet surface mine complex, which produces coal for electric utilities. Additionally, Patriot says it's delaying the start of production from its new, two-mine Blue Creek complex.
CEO Rick Whiting says the cuts announced late last week eliminate 2009 production that hasn't been sold yet.
The global economic downturn is only part of the story. Long term demand for West Virginia coal may never recover. States to our east are investing heavily in both greener sources of electricity and demand reduction.
Save Coal Mining Jobs
How can a moratorium on mountain top mining in West Virginia save coal mining jobs?
Simple. Coal companies are cutting production. What production are they going to cut first? The highest cost production. Mountain top removal mining employs less people, costs coal companies less, and does more environmental damage than underground mining.
Who do you think deserves the money more, coal company owners and executives or underground coal miners? For the foreseeable future, we're going to need coal. As long as we do, I think we should encourage mining that employs the most West Virginia miners, don't you?
The way forward
Gov. Manchin can save West Virginia coal mining jobs by placing a moratorium on mountain top removal mining. West Virginians deserve full enforcement of existing laws. No more mountain top removal mining should occur until approximate original contour is defined and enforced.
This is the right way forward for coal mining jobs and the right way forward for West Virginia.
Flickr image credit: ChuckHolton |
