Discuss: Stopping Coal in Its Tracks

Here’s an eye-opening web tool that shows your direct connection to mountaintop removal (MTR): just plug in your zip code and you get a map which shows what coal plants supply your home with power, and what mines those plants get their coal from:

http://ilovemountains.org/myconnection/

My zip code gets coal from the following MTR mine:

Scott’s Branch Mine
Coal Source: Mountaintop Removal
Location: 93 PICKETT LANE DEBORD, KY 41653
Operator: LCC Kentucky LLC
Controller:International Coal Group Inc (ICG)

Sobering!

Erik
—
The Orion Grassroots Network: 1,100+ grassroots groups working for conservation & more

What’s alarming to me is the new push to advertise coal (on CNN for example) as the energy source for the future.  The commercial I saw recently made no mention of the environmental costs of burning coal, it simply made the connection between coal and having electricity to do all the things we do every day. Maybe it was intended as “just a reminder” or maybe it was meant to preempt the anticoal sentiment in the minds of CNN veiwers.

It would appear that we-all better find a practical use for CO2 - and fast!

It was really exciting for us at Energy Justice Network to have such a great piece on our “No New Coal Plants” network in Orion.  From the various processes of mining coal such as mountaintop removal to coal burning and finally to the disposal of ash, it is clear that coal is not a responsible source of energy for our communities and our environment.  Coal can never be “clean,” no matter what massive green-washing tactics are being used by the various industries involved.  We hope that the movements against these kinds of harmful energy technologies continue to grow and inspire others.

As well as having built the “No New Coal Plants” network described in the article, we are currently developing other grassroots networks around other dirty energy and waste technologies.  We welcome any grassroots groups and concerned citizens who are fighting any of the following technologies to get in touch with us so we might strengthen your work through any organizing advice, networking and information we can provide:

-ethanol (including cellulosic and waste-based fuels)
-nuclear power
-biomass
-poultry waste incineration
-tire incineration
-power lines
-waste coal
-sewage sludge

We can also connect grassroots activists to national and international networks of communities dealing with:

-liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals
-trash incinerators
-medical waste issues
-landfills
-water fluoridation

We also are developing a database and mapping project, which (with help from our grassroots networks) will track existing, proposed, closed and defeated dirty energy and waste facilities throughout the United States, enabling people to connect with other concerned residents and activist groups fighting similar issues.

We don’t play the NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) game with inappropriate technologies.  We’re about “NIABY” (not in ANYone’s backyard), which is why we take strong positions and help communities protect each other, so that we can continue to see 60-90% of dirty energy and waste industry proposals stopped, one community at a time, in good grassroots tradition.

Please see our website at http://www.energyjustice.net for info on these and other topics.

Could someone pleased take out the thousands of unneeded words int this piece.  I do have a commend I did not read the article because I do not read articles written by novelist.  Most groups concerned with making the world a better place miss the point.  We can be more effective by using common sense.  How much less coal would be used if everyone in the world would shut down their computers when they are not needed?  or turn off the printer s over the weekend.  Or remove any transformer when not in use.  (by the way the transformer is the boxy part of your cell phone charger).  Demand products that do not have high tech features or do not use elevators and automatic doors when stiars and manual doors are available.  Not allow use of security lights that stay on during the day when they are not needed.  Demand that HVAC industry hire some people who have more than pea sized brains to design HVAC.  It is not rocket science.  A large part of our energy usage comes from our fat population that need extra air conditioning to remove the heat from their over insulatd fat bodies.  They are also more demanding on energy that is used in the restaurant since it takes more heat to propare a 10 oz steak than a 4 oz.  What we really need is a society that knows what they need rather than what they want.

Great work, Mike Ewall and the team at EnergyJustice. Amazing fact sheets and help for activists around the country at the drop of a hat.

There are, of course, outstanding people in the Big Green movement.  But I applaud the Not In ANYbody’s Backyard stance, and the “no burning.”  We don’t need to incinerate toxins to light our homes and businesses.  We don’t need to continue to pour our resources into a system where 2/3 of our oil is imported, and 20 percent of our natural gas.  We are at or near global peak oil; and we peaked in natural gas in the U.S. in 2002.

We need fundamental change, and the NNCP listserv showed that a handful of folks helping each other can make a big difference.

The people in the southeatern U.S. are indeed getting worse than harassed and thrown in jail—thier lives are threatened, family security is in jeopardy, to say nothing of harassment from community members who work in the industry.  I recognize that here in Denver Colorado it’s easy to be against coal—whereas the folks on the frontlines are sticking their necks out everyday.

I’ve heard MTR likened to the U.S.‘s treatment of the developing world—rip out the resources, and to hell with the consequences—and I believe it’s true.

Thank you for standing up to Big Coal and Big Coal Mining.  I hope to come out to the SE this summer to help defeat Sen. Mitch McConnell.

The true issue is the use of the BLM leasing of coal.  I would encourage folks to get a hold of the book, The Chaco Coal Scandal by Jeff Radford.  It was an attempt to circumvent Environmental Review and public control over the 30 billion tons of coal in NW New Mexico. If what Ted Nace said is correct, every coal lease expansion should be contested on global warming and long term economics both being a national security interests in todays present political climate. Nancy, I would be interested in the economic analysis ASAP since our local utility PNM is currently considering a rate increase and continued, expanded coal operations and divesting itself of it’s natural gas utility.  Thanks Ted also for putting your book on line. It’s a valuable resource in this 400 year old corporate war.