Mountaintop removal called 'sin against nature', 'crime against humanity'

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/14/9624/

Ecologist Says Power Plant Will Pollute More Of Mountain Empire
by Debra McCown


ABINGDON, Va. - Pollution from the new coal-fired power plant proposed for Wise County would cause negative health and economic effects across the Mountian Empire region, an ecologist told local activists at a Wednesday meeting.


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“It’s like a bomb, like the world’s biggest bomb ever went off,” Wasson said of methods used to extract coal in the region, adding it causes flooding, water pollution and other damaging effects.
He said the plant is not needed - and energy companies should invest in solar and wind power instead.

Meanwhile, industry officials have said coal-fired power plants must be added to meet growing demand for electricity.

Pete Ramey, a retired coal miner and activist, also spoke at the meeting.

“We do not have to sacrifice our health and safety for the economy. We have to have both,” Ramey said.

“When I was raised up in these communities, I worked in the coal mines … It’s kind of ironic that coal mining today is destroying the very thing my great-grandfather worked for, and I also worked for,” he continued. “It’s not only a sin against nature, it’s a crime against humanity.”

[Zachstar]

1. Chances of them picking solar and wind over coal right now? Slightly less than 0.1 percent

If these environmental groups were serious they would spend there time calling for more research into fusion and perhaps money into reducing cost of current solar and wind systems and ensuring that we do not get them from china.