Coal Dethroned: In Appalachia, the Coal Industry Is Collapsing, But the Mountains Aren't Coming Back
from TomDispatch:
Coal Dethroned
In Appalachia, the Coal Industry Is in Collapse, But the Mountains Arent Coming Back
By Laura Gottesdiener
In Appalachia, explosions have leveled the mountain tops into perfect race tracks for Ryan Hensleys all-terrain vehicle (ATV). At least, thats how the 14-year-old sees the barren expanses of dirt that stretch for miles atop the hills surrounding his home in the former coal town of Whitesville, West Virginia.
Theyre going to blast that one next, he says, pointing to a peak in the distance. Hes referring to a process known as mountain-top removal, in which coal companies use explosives to blast away hundreds of feet of rock in order to unearth underground seams of coal.
And then itll be just blank space, he adds. Like the Taylor Swift song.
Skinny and shirtless, Hensley looks no more than 11 or 12. His ribs and collarbones protrude from his taut skin. Dipping tobacco is tucked into his right cheek. He has a head of cropped blond curls that jog some memory of mine, but I cant quite figure out what it is. Hes pointing at a peak named Coal River Mountain. These days, though, its known to activists here as the Last Mountain, as its the only ridgeline in this area that's still largely intact.
.....(snip).....
The King Is Dead
In the first half of this year, at least six domestic coal companies filed for bankruptcy. In February, West Virginias Covington Coal fell, followed by Xinergy and Grass Creek Coal in April, Patriot and Birmingham Coal & Coke in May, and A&M Coal in June. In August came the biggest announcement of all: the $10-billion coal giant Alpha Natural Resources had entered the bankruptcy sweepstakes, too. .........................(more)
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176040/tomgram%3A_laura_gottesdiener%2C_the_king_is_dead%21/#more