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Clean Coal Technology Save Email Print
Posted: 10:24 PM May 8, 2008
Last Updated: 10:24 PM May 8, 2008
Reporter: Dave Benton
Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com


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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Being environmentally conscious is on the minds of a lot people and there's a push to produce clean coal electricity.

Members of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity got their message out in Huntington Thursday afternoon.

Cathy Coffey with A.C.C.C.E said her group wants to make sure the primary candidates put energy in their platforms.

But not everyone is a fan of clean coal technology. Janet Fout with O.V.E.C, The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition said, “Clean coal is an oxymoron. There's no such thing.”

Many environmentalists believe the clean coal technology will lead to more mountain top removal.

It’s a never ending debate between the coal industry and environmentalists.

In West Virginia, 90% of electricity is coal generated. The national average is 50%.

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Posted by: Christi on May 10, 2008 at 06:14 PM
It seems Mr Blankenship works for the betterment of mankind in one way or another everyday!! He is amazing and a great American

Posted by: Frankly on May 10, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Nobody wants to face the truth but here it is. Coal and oil is a thing of the past. There is no reason to be building new coal burning facilaties now. We have the technology now to phase out both oil and coal at a more economical cost for the consumers. Hydro-electric power generation hasn't even been used nowhere near its potential either. This and other new tecnology could be done and create more good paying jobs than we have now if we had any leaders in this state and country. The miners here now aren't even making a decent living, especially for what they have to go through. What do you expect though this is WV last in everthing. It's past time to vote out all in office. Things would start changing then...

Posted by: Anon on May 9, 2008 at 11:17 PM
The only reason coal is the only job in WV is these compainies know Wv is to lazy and uneducated to try something new. So keep making them rich and remember your state is the one using 90% of coal to generate electric not everyone else. So yes there are better ways you just can't see past the soot in your eyes.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Don Blankenship has provided good paying,safe jobs for West Virginians,they should treat him with the respect he deserves.I wish he would run against Manchin

Posted by: susan on May 9, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Twisted Gun golf course is NOT typical of mountaintop removal reclamation. Coal has a couple "showcase" sites they show people.

Posted by: John on May 9, 2008 at 12:01 PM
So Kathy S what would you do ? I bet if tomorrow it was announced that Nuke plants would replace all coal fired plants and one was going to be in your area you be on here complaining. Or big solar panels and wind turbins were being placed on top of the mountains you would be ok with that ? So whats left ? Turn all electric off everywhere. No TV or pumps for gas or phones no more air conditioners. Everything would change are you ready to do that ? If so everyone that thinks so turn your power off and see how long your ready to live like that ! If you can do that I applaud you. If not your waisting mountain tops with your computer on !

Posted by: Wife of a Coal Miner on May 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM
To Kathy S Have you actually seen an area up close that has be reclaimed after they removed the coal from the mountain?? Just in case you haven't go to Gilbert WV and look at Twisted Gun golf course.. It is a Top 10 in all the golf courses in WV. It was a reclaimed strip mine. My husband works for a coal company and his company reclaims the area as soon as they get finished with it. As a matter of fact it may win various awards because of the fact that it looks so good after they have finished with it. Everyone needs to stop and think that these coal miners have to make a living and take care of their families. The Environmentalists (tree huggers) that I have dealt with seem to not care about other people they just want to prove a point and try to set an example. Why don't they rally around the road construction sites, they blast into the mountains and cause damage?? Remember when you turn on your electricity tonight Thank a coal miner not a tree hugger!!!!

Posted by: booger on May 9, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Kathy S... You said almost exactly what I was going to say. Coal was good for WV in the 50's, but the 50's are over. We need something new in this state. Coal is sucking more money out of WV then it's giving back. Coal and coal companies are the reason WV is so behind the rest of the country. We still live in the "good 'ol days." No one seems to realize that the good 'ol days were over 50 years ago. We need to change everything in WV and start over.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Okay to the comments below.. how do you expect A LOT of WV people to survive and have jobs without coal??????????? There is nothing else there!!!!! Coal is the driving force behind a majority of families well-being in WV and to say you hate coal is to say you hate your electricity?!?! I dont agree with everything the "big guys" have done but who does.. No one is perfect and until you are yourself, stop pointing fingers.. Just be thankful that WV and its people are given the opporitunity to have these jobs and work with the coal because if they didnt.. WV would be even poorer and empty than it already is!!

Posted by: Kathy S on May 9, 2008 at 06:06 AM
I just love the misnomer "mountaintop" removal when they remove the entire mountain! I hate coal. I know that is blasphemy here in "Almost Heaven" but just the way I feel, apologies to miners. I hate the big coal companies for what they've done, what they continue to do & WILL continue to do to our beautiful mountains. They can call it "mountaintop" removal all they want. They're destroying our legacy in this State. Our children, grandchildren & all the future generations won't be able to enjoy the beauty & majesty of these mountains b/c they blow them up ENTIRELY for more $$$$$ for these owners who are already rich. Despite all they do to the mts, streams, houses etc, coal pollutes & is helping destroy our environment. I'm sick of these coal operators thinking we are all so stupid we will eat up their "oh we leave it green with wildflowers". Yeah, they leave them molehills, not mts. Their stupid "bug" commercials are offensive too.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen on May 9, 2008 at 02:36 AM
If you are joking, that was the funniest thing I have ever read. If you are being serious, it is the saddest thing I have ever read. Don Blankenship is the worst thing that EVER happened to W.V.

Posted by: Phil on May 8, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Don Blankenship will do anything within reason to be enviromentally sound.He is a great man who gets biased press against him.He should be a hometoen hero.

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