An Editorial piece about yesterday’s article regarding potential in West Virginia Democratic Party’s position on mountaintop mining, written by Chris Hamilton and followed-up by a note from Terry Headley.
“WE ARE DEMOCRATS TOO”: By CHRIS HAMILTON, WVCA and Friends of Coal
As a lifelong Democrat, whose family has been dependent on the mining industry, I strongly reject any resolution or position by the Democratic Party that cuts against coal mining jobs in this state… While a relatively small segment of our party may try to force an anti-coal agenda upon us, this idea must be rejected out of hand.
Simply and plainly put, working miners deserve better treatment from their fellow West Virginians and in particular – the Democratic Party!
Coal mining and yes, “mountaintop” coal mining, has been a major economic driver for this sate for decades…. Today it is relied upon even more as the result of the current high energy market and pricing levels. The fact is - - we are seeing an unprecedented level of revenues from coal pouring into local and statewide coffers…and yes, much of that money and tax share comes directly form the 4,000 men and woman who work on mountain top sites…. Additionally, thousands of men and woman work on the railroads, machine shops, equipment maintenance and manufacturing side of the business as a direct result of the surface and mountain mining activity in this state.
The economic impact of coal is felt across the state. Even in areas that do not have mining operations.
Coal severance dollars from mining (mountaintop-mined coal) in Boone, Kanawha, Mingo, Clay and Logan counties go to places like Doddridge, Roane, Jefferson Berkeley, Hancock, and Hardy that do not mine coal. This money funds important programs on the county level for seniors, the less fortunate and for basic infrastructure needs.
As we move further into the “Energy Age’ and West Virginia’s role and contribution to the nation and world becomes more prominent, we’ll need every BTU we can harness from every source of power imaginable. That means in addition to coal, oil and gas (of which as a state we are blessed with an abundance), we will also need other energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and whatever else! We simply can’t afford to leave a single BTU unused.
With that said, as a state we to end the divisive “win-lose” nature of our competing fuels and realize we need them all.
Our Democratic Party which currently controls the governor’s mansion, the Legislature and the Judiciary cannot afford to be perceived as anti-mining. If we are, it will surely mean the end of the broad support we have enjoyed this past 60 years. We can’t afford to listen to the voice on the extreme left who would lead us down a road of destruction as a state and a party.
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FRIENDS OF COAL- URGENT ACTION REQUESTED:
The president of the Young Democrats of West Virginia says it is time for the state Democratic Party to adopt a more “green” position – one he believes would be more beneficial to the environment. His goal is to bring the state party in line with the national Democratic platform.
This is the same group that earlier this year called for an outright ban on mountaintop mining.
We urge West Virginia Democrats to reject this proposal. The Democratic Party has always positioned itself as the champion of the working man. Adopting this radical anti-coal agenda would cripple the coal industry and cost the working people of this state more than 50,000 good jobs.
We urge those men and women who are Friends of Coal and members of the Democratic Party to contact Governor Manchin and their state and local party leadership and urge them to reject this proposal. We also urge you to send a copy to your local media outlets – television, radio and newspapers.
Adopting such a position would lead the party and the state down the road to destruction.
WVCA Vice President Chris Hamilton fired off a response yesterday. Please use attached copy as a guide for your response.
West Virginia depends on the coal industry. We depend on the industry for jobs, for the majority of our state budget, for energy to power our homes, schools and churches. It is a vital part of our lives.
The working men and women of this state who mine coal deserve better from the Democratic Party!
Terry L. Headley, Friends of Coal
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