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Big Daddy Sen. Robert C. Byrd

More on Byrd's staff to tour mountaintop removal sites

by: Carnacki

Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 09:09:54 AM EDT


The Charleston Gazette has more on the announcement yesterday:

Vivian Stockman, an Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition project coordinator, said, "We're extremely grateful to Senator Byrd. It is awfully nice his staff will meet with people directly impacted by mountaintop removal.

"We hope this trip will help Byrd's office understand the huge hidden costs associated with mountaintop-removal coal mining from flooding to lost communities, from lost economic potential of the mountains to the huge costs of poisoned streams and drinking water."

Stockman said no one has yet done a comprehensive study about the human, health and economic costs associated with "this extreme form of coal mining."

On Wednesday, Stockman and her colleagues will take Byrd's staff members to "see a community that is being dismantled because of mountaintop removal and to other communities to see some flood damage."

"They will be meeting with people who have generations of ties with the coal industry, but who cannot tolerate mountaintop removal."

Carnacki :: More on Byrd's staff to tour mountaintop removal sites
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Byrd finally capitulates (0.00 / 0)
The fact that RCB has sent his staff to appease coalfield residents fears of the devastating effects of MTR mining, is encouraging but the proof will be what he does afterwards.  If he was up to the task I'm sure he would be there in person but to send staff shows he is at least giving it the attention it deserves.  They might even see a flash flood or two on a day like today.

It's been awhile since I've last 'rubbed elbows' with Byrd's staff, BUT... (4.00 / 1)
The last time I was in Senator Byrd's Washington DC office he appeared to have surrounded himself with mostly reeeally hard core corporate types. And in retrospect, based on numerous personal observations, I also doubt that of the many Byrd staffers I met that any were from West Virginia.

What I'm getting at here is that I do NOT trust his staff to give our senior Senator the true picture of the many problems now connected with years of surface mining.


[ Parent ]
Oh ye of little faith... (4.00 / 2)
OC, I understand you concerns, but I see things differently.
RCB's Charleston operations are mostly (if not completely) native WVians - not that it really matters. In fact, were it not for the help from non-residents, much of the debate here IN WV would have never gotten the attention its getting today. It takes smart people who aren't swayed by money and politics to speak the truth - clearly most folks in WV have been too afraid to stand up to King Coal.

That being said, I see this tour as a great step forward in educating our leadership and the public about the devastation of MTR. The fact that OVEC is an active participant should be celebrated.

Senator Byrd has proven to be a man willing to change. I choose to be hopeful that his excellent staff sees the truth behind MTR and helps all of WV come one step closer to ending the destruction and pollution of our mountains.


[ Parent ]
Sen. Byrd's staff tour of mr sites (4.00 / 3)
Hey...this is great news.  To issue this kind of statement at this time is a hopeful sign.
The Senator has a great staff and I am looking forward to their report.
ANYONE who tours these disaster areas can not help but be moved by what is seen and experienced.  
Just as Kathy Matea and countless others have left this tour with tears filling their eyes, the Senator's staff, if they love WV, will return a passionate plea for stopping this horrible defacing of our beautiful state.

Jerry

Agreed. (0.00 / 0)


When a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it. Sherlock Holmes.

[ Parent ]
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