|
By jlms qkw
Turned on a light switch lately? Oh wait, you're already using electricity at a computer!
Do you have a smug feeling because "your" electricity comes from a renewable source? I used to have that feeling too. Until I realized that I shop at places that might use coal-fired electricity. And my kids go to public schools - where is their juice from?
Year-to-date, coal-fired plants contributed 45.4 percent of the Nation's electric power. (DOE)
and
9 people have died in direct coal-mining incidents since January 1. (MHSA)
Tonight I'd like us to learn a little bit about one of them. |
Legacy of Coal is a newly-launched diary series inspired by the panels at Netroots Nation. We hope to publicize the issues around coal use and mining, including MTR, the damage to less-politically-powerful areas of our country, and the general impact of energy and economic policy. Of course, this leads to the broader issues of climate change, health care, and human rights. While none of us can know everything about these issues, it is by working together we can make a difference. If you would like to guest-host, please contact me at jlms_qkwATxmissionDOTcom. This diary series is dedicated to our country's coal miners and the people waiting for them to come home.
Jared Kacer was 27 years old last February. Driving a truck, working in the coal mining industry. What were you doing when you were 27 years old?
He was someone's son. Many people's friend. Someone's husband and father, too.
Southern Illinois news: LILPRILTURN80 wrote on Feb 18, 2009 3:15 PM:
" JAROD WAS MY BROTHER IN LAW AND THIS IS A TRAGEDY . EVERYONE IS HEARTBROKEN AND HE IS PROCEEDED BY A BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN . HE WAS A HARD WORKING AND ALL AROUND GREAT MAN ,HE WILL BE MISSED....... "
Did he hunt and fish? Maybe he watched some ball games of some kind? Drank beer with his friends? I'm pretty sure he tickled his kids.
Jared Kacer and Kacer Family Trucking did not have a great presence on the web. I welcome any other specific news about this man and his family.
The Mining Safety and Health Administration has a little bit more to say:
The accident occurred because mine management's policies and controls were inadequate and failed to ensure that the truck load of lumber was unloaded in a manner that did not create a hazard to persons. Based on physical evidence, measurements, and interviews, it is apparent that the victim was located on the passenger's side of the trailer winding up a nylon strap that had been used to tie down the load of lumber while it was being transported. The forklift operator placed the forks under two bundles of 2x4s on the driver's side of the trailer. The forks extended partially under the bundles of 2x4s on the passenger's side of the trailer. When the operator lifted and tilted the forks, the bundles of 2x4s on the passenger's side were tipped by the forks in the opposite direction and fell from the trailer and struck the victim.
Full MSHA report
He didn't have to die. Not at that mine, not that day.
I know we have to mine coal for a while longer. We can't go from 40-something % to nothing overnight.
While we mine this coal, and while so many people put their lives on the line every day so the rest of us can turn on a light switch, let's do this in the safest way possible.
Is that something we can all agree on?
cross-posted at dailykos.com. available for cross-posting at other sites, leave a comment or email me. |
