'The only thing we had going for us, really, were the power plants,' says Ohio sheriff

[DonViejo]

By Dino Grandoni
April 1 at 7:48 AM

In 2018, the consumption of coal hit a four-decade low in the United States. A total of 19 coal-fired plants to closed last year, making for one of the largest waves of such retirements in the single year.

Ohio's Adams County was hit twice as hard, it could be said, when two coal plants, called J.M. Stuart and Killen, closed there on the same day.

The Post's Brady Dennis and Steven Mufson report on what happens to one rural county east of Cincinnati when about 700 well-paying coal jobs vanished.

...in places like Adams County, with a population of about 28,000 and already one of the poorest corners of Ohio, the death of a coal plant also can leave an unmistakable void. When the Stuart and Killen stations closed last year, with them went the area’s highest-paying jobs, its largest employers, its biggest taxpayers and, in many ways, its lifeblood.

“It’s devastating, really, to be honest,” said Adams County Sheriff Kimmy Rogers, who said he has fewer deputies than when he started in 2010 and, during some shifts, has only two to cover 583 square miles. “The only thing we had going for us, really, were the power plants.”

more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-energy-202/2019/04/01/the-energy-202-the-only-thing-we-had-going-for-us-really-were-the-power-plants-says-ohio-sheriff/5ca127ed1b326b0f7f38f2cb/

[llmart]

1. Let me guess. This is Trump country, correct?

If so, tell those people to hold on because their savior is bringing back coal jobs. The bigliest, mostest coal jobs ever seen in the world!!!

[FakeNoose]

2. It's not too late to invest in wind farms

There are still a lot of smart, hard-working and enterprising people in Ohio. You guys can figure this out! Meanwhile don't sit around waiting for Chump because he won't do shit for you.

[True Blue American]

4. I drive to Richmond Indiana

Or North. The farms all have new windmills. Only the very poor farms do not.

[True Blue American]

3. DP&L

Phased out the last 2 remaining coal plants 2 years ago. That is in Montgomery County.

A gas line was laid across middle Ohio several years ago. New jobs are created from that.

Southeastern Ohio. I know that area very well,grew up in Sciota Country. Pronounced ,” Soudy,” by many. i am being funny here, but true.

And even before the great war Steel Mills were being phased out.

Coal is done for, the same as buggy whips and horses for transportation.

[hatrack]

5. Adams County, OH - 73.6% Trump, 20.7% Clinton

https://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/president/ohio/

[gratuitous]

6. Wouldn't now be a good time for Democrats to drop in?

"Looks like voting for Trump didn't do you much good. Can Democrats interest you in job training or a real infrastructure program?"

We don't need to flip the county to 73-20 in favor of Democrats, but what if Adams County went Republican only 62-30?

[Recursion]

7. And say what, "we can't bring these jobs back but we'll train you to be medical assistants"?

"But then you'll have to move if you want a job"

Being honest with voters in places like this tends to backfire on us.

[gratuitous]

9. If nothing else

Get the Democratic platform and policies in front of voters without the Fox News filter. Talk to the local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations directly. Show that Democrats recognize the hot mess the area has suffered under Republican governance. Buck up the liberal and progressive folks in this area that they are not alone and are not forgotten. Completely neglecting places like Adams County hasn't done us much good.

[world wide wally]

8. I guess they showed Hillary!