Published: March 28, 2008 10:17 am            

Coal has been good to eastern Kentucky

Dear Ms. Swindler,

Your reference to the destruction of eastern Kentucky’s ecosystem by coal mining is not only untrue, but insulting to all of us who depend on the coal industry to provide for our family.

Your editorial was based on misinformation and untruths that is sadly, pervasive in our society.

The material placed in fills by mining operations consist of native rock and soils present before any disturbance takes place and is no different from fills made in highway construction or any other development requiring excavation, such as our new Corbin Elementary School on Fifth Street, our Civic/Technology Center on 25W or our Tri-County Cineplex and Applebee’s.

Flat land in eastern Kentucky is at a premium because it exists only in narrow river valleys. Additional flat land created by mining in Kentucky has provided sites for airports, golf courses, shopping centers, government facilities, industrial parks and residential developments, and is also home to the largest free ranging elk herd east of the Mississippi River.

In the future, the extensive road system created by mining may provide the foundation for a thriving adventure tourism business in our state.

No chemicals are dumped into waterways by coal mined. The industry is highly regulated by multiple state and federal agencies.

Permits that define every aspect of mining and reclamation activity must be approved before any dirt is moved (these permits are voluminous measuring feet in thickness). A bigger threat to Kentucky’s water quality is the fecal coli from raw sewage discharged in local streams.

Mining in our part of the world takes place on privately-owned property and the owners of surface or mineral rights are paid far more in royalties than could otherwise be realized from the property. In addition, their property is often more valuable after mining than before because it has greater utility.

These families’ lives are enriched by mining, not impoverished by it. Coal companies pay millions in taxes and provide good jobs for their employees, and that drives the economy in many east Kentucky counties.

Kentucky coal gives our state electricity at one of the lowest costs in the nation, and that is important to attracting industry and allowing older citizens to afford to eat and buy their medicine.

The coal industry provides good jobs for 18,000 statewide, not to mention those who sell equipment, supplies, materials, and provide transportation and other services to the industry, Many of these people also live in your newspaper’s coverage area.

You have shown disdain for coal miners since your arrival in Corbin, and I guess that is why coverage of the coal miners’ rally ended up on page 10, even though it was described by WKYT-TV in Lexington as one of the largest in Kentucky history.

The Hazard Herald had three color pictures on the front page and printed two full pages of color pictures of the event.

Your attack on Jim Gooch, a highly respected legislator, was unjustified and calling him an idiot because he does not share your view of the world is equally inappropriate. Mr. Gooch wanted credible experts to present facts about climate change to the Natural Resource and Environmental Committee that would be of interest to Kentuckians and prove useful in defining energy policy. The debate about climate change is not over as alleged by global warming supporters, but has never been allowed to take place.

Climate models used to predict catastrophic change have proved to be grossly inaccurate.

They do not take into account solar activity and the impacts of clouds simply because we do not begin to possess the knowledge of atmospheric physics required to predict long-term weather patterns. It is hard enough to predict weather in advance to plan a weekend picnic, let along predict the future.

We have a clear choice in this country, we can responsibly utilize all the resources we have to provide our energy needs, and in the process make American miners, farmers, and others more prosperous, or we can continue to rely on foreign imports and get used to paying $4/gallon and more for gasoline.

Continued reliance on foreign sources sends billions of dollars out of the country and undermines our national security. Transporting large volumes of oil creates environmental risks as well.

A small but vocal group exerts much influence on America’s energy and environmental policies; however, they have absolutely no influence on China, India or other developing countries. Forcing industry out of the U.S.A., where strong environmental controls exists, to other countries where little or no control exists does not improved the world’s environment, but degrades it.

Most coal miners grew up in east Kentucky. This is our home, and we are about it every day, no just when it is fashionable. Miners are highly skilled and operate and maintain very complex equipment.

Minors stopped using picks and shovels decades ago, and it is time for that image to pass into history. We care about our families and the environment, and we deeply resent the implication that we are no more than ignorant hillbillies who have to rely on outside geniuses to tell us now to protect our heritage. This is absolute nonsense!

You poised the question, “When will water matter in Frankfort?” I believe the more appropriate question is “Will the media ever live up to its responsibility to provide its readers and viewers with facts gathered by hard work and an unbiased attitude or follow the shorter path of political correctness?”

Jim Shackleford,

Corbin

        

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