We Applaud Gatewood Galbraith For Taking A Strong Stance Against Mountaintop Removal Of Coal.
Galbraith comes out against mountaintop removal
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Independent Gatewood Galbraith differentiated himself Thursday from all other Kentucky gubernatorial candidates by taking a strong stand against mountaintop removal mining.
Galbraith told The Associated Press that the practice has caused "unsurpassed environmental damage" in Appalachia and should not be permitted to continue.
"It is too large a cost for the extraction of coal," he said Thursday. "I'm for coal, but mountaintop removal is the most wasteful, unsustainable method for extracting coal. It destroys an ecological heritage that belongs to all of Kentucky."
The Lexington attorney making his fifth run for governor is the only candidate who has voiced opposition to mountaintop removal.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who is seeking re-election, has called for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ease regulations that are hampering the mining method, as have three Republican gubernatorial candidates: state Senate President David Williams, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.
Galbraith won an early endorsement from the United Mine Workers of America. He said it shows that Kentucky's working class is unhappy with the state's political leadership. He also said his opposition to mountaintop removal isn't a condemnation of the coal industry and especially not of coal miners.
Mountaintop removal has long been a heated issue in Kentucky politics, especially so in recent weeks with demonstrators rallying at the state Capitol in opposition to the practice. A handful of those demonstrators staged a four-day sit-in at Beshear's office before walking out to the cheers of some 1,200 mountaintop removal opponents gathered on the Capitol lawn.
In mountaintop removal mining, forests are cleared and rock is blasted apart to get to coal buried underneath. The leftover dirt, rock and rubble usually is dumped into nearby valleys. Coal operators say it is the most effective way to get to the coal, while environmentalists say it does irreversible damage.
In a letter to supporters, Galbraith and runningmate Dea Riley said they "stand on the side of mountains."
"Specifically, the practice of mountaintop removal has reduced valuable coal jobs, caused unsurpassed environmental damage and continues to stifle overall economic development efforts," they wrote.
"We cannot undo the injustice and travesties of the past," they said, "but we can promise our dedication to a new future."
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Independent Gatewood Galbraith differentiated himself Thursday from all other Kentucky gubernatorial candidates by taking a strong stand against mountaintop removal mining.
Galbraith told The Associated Press that the practice has caused "unsurpassed environmental damage" in Appalachia and should not be permitted to continue.
"It is too large a cost for the extraction of coal," he said Thursday. "I'm for coal, but mountaintop removal is the most wasteful, unsustainable method for extracting coal. It destroys an ecological heritage that belongs to all of Kentucky."
The Lexington attorney making his fifth run for governor is the only candidate who has voiced opposition to mountaintop removal.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who is seeking re-election, has called for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ease regulations that are hampering the mining method, as have three Republican gubernatorial candidates: state Senate President David Williams, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.
Galbraith won an early endorsement from the United Mine Workers of America. He said it shows that Kentucky's working class is unhappy with the state's political leadership. He also said his opposition to mountaintop removal isn't a condemnation of the coal industry and especially not of coal miners.
Mountaintop removal has long been a heated issue in Kentucky politics, especially so in recent weeks with demonstrators rallying at the state Capitol in opposition to the practice. A handful of those demonstrators staged a four-day sit-in at Beshear's office before walking out to the cheers of some 1,200 mountaintop removal opponents gathered on the Capitol lawn.
In mountaintop removal mining, forests are cleared and rock is blasted apart to get to coal buried underneath. The leftover dirt, rock and rubble usually is dumped into nearby valleys. Coal operators say it is the most effective way to get to the coal, while environmentalists say it does irreversible damage.
In a letter to supporters, Galbraith and runningmate Dea Riley said they "stand on the side of mountains."
"Specifically, the practice of mountaintop removal has reduced valuable coal jobs, caused unsurpassed environmental damage and continues to stifle overall economic development efforts," they wrote.
"We cannot undo the injustice and travesties of the past," they said, "but we can promise our dedication to a new future."
Labels: The Environment
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 4:54 PM
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