News
Thank You Senator Byrd, Congressman Rahall, and Senator Rockefeller
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Cross posted from Appalachian Voices’ Front Porch Blog
Appalachian Voices is pleased to commend West Virginia Democratic Senator Robert C. Byrd, Senator Jay Rockefeller, and Congressman Nick Rahall for standing up to Massey Energy, and demanding that the company pay to relocate Marsh Fork Elementary. Their words are an encouraging sign that the efforts of coalfield citizens to protect their health and communities is being heard at the highest levels, and that some relief may be on the way.
Senator Byrd led the way with the following words Wednesday afternoon (via Coal Tattoo).
“Such arrogance suggests a blatant disregard for the impact of their mining practices on our communities, residents and particularly our children. These are children’s lives we are talking about,” said Byrd.
“If Massey were not operating near Marsh Fork Elementary, we would not be debating what to do about moving these young students someplace safer. This is not the taxpayers’ burden to remedy. This is Massey Energy’s responsibility to address.”
Byrd added that, “Let me be clear about one thing – this is not about the coal industry or their hard-working coal miners. This is about companies that blatantly disregard human life and safety because of greed. That is never acceptable.”
“At a time when coal is under such close scrutiny, coal companies operating in West Virginia should be working together to put their best foot forward. For the sake of the entire coal industry, Massey Energy should strive to be a better and more responsible corporate citizen. And for the sake of the kids, they should address these serious environmental concerns at Marsh Fork Elementary immediately.”
Senator Byrd, as he so often has, is able to sum of what many of his constituents in the communities around Marsh Fork have been feeling for a long time. These are children’s lives at stake, and its not up to Massey or anyone else to play political games with our kids’ lives. Senator Byrd even gets in a dig at Don Blankenship’s political action committee, which is called – ironically – “And for the sake of the Kids.”
Congressman Rahall and Senator Rockefeller were equally unequivocal in their statements that the kids and the communities deserve better from Massey.
Congressman Rahall represents West Virginia’s third district, where Marsh Fork Elementary is located. He indicated that such a move could even help build public goodwill towards the coal industry.:
I certainly agree with Senator Byrd. Massey Energy should take this significant step of helping to replace the Marsh Fork Elementary School so that these children no longer have to fear the threat of adverse health effects of nearby coal operations. It would go a long way toward improving the good will of the public toward that company and the coal industry.
And junior Senator Jay Rockefeller stated clearly:
“The hazards around Marsh Fork Elementary have been weighing heavily on the minds of parents in the Marsh Fork community for some time. Protecting our children is our first and most fundamental obligation, and it is right to expect the company to help pay for the solution.”
Appalachian Voices extends our thanks to these officials and hope that they will do everything in their power to protect the children, communities, mountains, and streams from the hazards of mountaintop removal and coal slurry.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Not to take too much of a shine off this story, but Byrd & Rockefeller (and I suspect Rahall too) have been in office since the Marsh Fork School’s issue has been public knowledge (I first learned of it in June ’06.
Now Byrd has come forward asking Massey to do what the Marsh Fork people have been begging for since ’06 at least and Rockefeller & Rahall are leaping to catch the bandwagon’s coattails as it rolls by.
What’s really gone on is that all 3 were holding back to see which way the wind was blowing before making a committment. Now it appears that environmentalists will, ultimately, prevail so they’ve decided its ‘safe’ to push Massey a little… not really a whole lot, just a little.
It’s even possible that Massey’s already given some indication that (in a vain attempt to buy goodwill) they may help build a new Marsh Fork Elementary and this whole dog & pony show is just that, a cynical ploy by people’s legislators who’ll look like heroes demanding something that, truth be known, is already a done deal.
I, for one, certainly wouldn’t be surprised if Massey made some kind of conciliatory announcement shortly and if Massey does, be prepared for the ‘touch’ they’ll demand as ‘compensation’ for their ‘largess’.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I agree with Marshalldoc on this one: the practices of mountaintop mining are going on with the tacit approval of the 3 cited in the article, and this is just some political gamesmanship.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Having grown up in WV and having Senator Byrd speak at my graduation ceremony, I am appalled by what is going on there. My grandfather, father and my two deceased husbands were coal miners but never would they have acted the way these miners have. They must be truly afraid of what these people have to say if they are willing to go to the extremes that they have to stop them from speaking at the hearing! Times change, things change and people have to change. Yes I know it’s hard loosing your livelyhood but you have to move on. Most times you’ll find it’s for the best. We have to stop destroying our home the earth! Otherwise we all (including the miners) will pay! All of us must look at the long term result of things, not just the short term of loosing a job. I know some will say I don’t know what I’m talking about. Yes I do! A year ago I lost a job working for a bank in the mortgage area and you all know about the mortgage crisis. I’m still out of work and my home is being foreclosed on so yes I know how important jobs are. I’m looking for better opportunities not dwelling on what is lost. Miners, I applaud your hard work and your courage but maybe it’s time for a change. Don’t you want your children to have some of those wild and wonderful WV mountains to admire when they grow up? I know I do!