Lack of Public Hearing Frustrates Coal Supporter
Jul 28 – The Office of Surface Mining’s “open house” format has drawn the ire of coal supporters that say it prevents a full demonstration of support for coal across the Appalachian region. “We need to demand a public hearing just like we are entitled to,” says Sate Senator Brandon Smith of Hazard, echoing the frustration of many coal supporters. “As a senator I am concerned that they are trying to pull this sort of slip-shuck approach about something so important.” Coal is of vital importance for all of Appalachia and in Kentucky, coal provides direct or indirect jobs for 84,000 people and $10 billion for the state’s economy. “Coal is our lifeline and coal is America’s ace in the hole, whether the Obama administration wants to realize it or not,” says State Representative Fitz Steele. “There are no party lines; it’s either you’re pro-coal or you’re anti-coal mining.” Read more in The Hazard Herald.
