In the interest of preserving my mental health, I usually try to ignore the news at least one day a week. I find I need an occasional break from the constant influx of information and the glare and hum of my beloved laptop. I often choose Sunday as my day off. It tends to be a slow day anyways, since so many people are taking it off. But yesterday was Climate Action Day, and I was really interested in seeing the follow-up coverage from the 350 events held around the world.
When I saw this article about Coal River Mountain, I was horrified. This is a situation in which the right solution is so clear. I’m not usually one to assign very strong value judgments to things. The world operates in many shades of gray, and it can be hard to balance competing sides of complex issues.
But here… there is a right solution. Massey Energy’s mining of the Coal River Mountain is just a bad decision. It is bad for the environment. It is bad for (and not wanted by) the local community; it is bad for their health and it is bad for their economy. And there is a thoroughly documented and much better option available. This should be a no-brainer.
In spite of that, blasting has started on the Coal River Mountain. I can’t help but worry that it is too late. But because it is my anti-news day, and I am determined to be optimistic, I went to the Save Coal River site to see what could be done. According to this site, the Obama Administration is not taking calls on the Coal River Mountain issue until 9:00 AM EST tomorrow. In the meantime, they are accepting letters submitted via their contact site.
Below is the letter I submitted. Please feel free to copy it, use it, distribute it — whatever you want.
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to you to express my horror at the destruction by Massey Energy of Coal River Mountain in West Virginia.
6,000 acres of land is due to be mined for coal in a mountaintop removal project, in spite of the fact that this land would be far more valuable as a renewable energy project. This land is rated Class 7 for wind energy potential, the highest rating on the scale.
Local residents have already filed lawsuits against nine coal companies for contaminating their well water with coal waste. Construction of a wind farm project in this area would create more jobs than would the mining of Coal River Mountain, jobs that would last longer than those created by the relatively short-term mountaintop removal plans. Coal River is the last remaining intact mountaintop in the area.
Coal River Mountain represents a unique opportunity for rational minds to prevail. Human, economic, and environmental interests are all at stake, and the solution is clear. The mountaintop removal of Coal River Mountain must be stopped, and it must be stopped immediately. This situation requires urgent attention, as reports indicate that blasting has already begun.
Please use your influence to help the residents of Coal River Valley to preserve their own health, the environmental health of the region, and their future economic security. The destruction of Coal River Mountain is not something any of us can afford.
Many thanks for your attention and swift action,
On that note, I’m going to shut off my computer and go enjoy the little bit of time left of this Sunday evening. I hope everyone had a great weekend.
