RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, Representative Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) and
Appalachian Voices announced the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act, a bill
to end the use of coal obtained from mountaintop removal mining – a
controversial form of strip mining. If passed, North Carolina would be the
first state in the nation to implement such legislation.
"Right now, North Carolina is one of the nation's top consumers of coal from
mountaintop removal mining," said Rep. Harrison. "That needs to
change. Mountaintop removal coal mining presents a clear and present
danger to the Appalachian Mountains, which are home to a vibrant and indelible
culture, stunning biodiversity and enormous economic potential."
Mountaintop removal coal mining is an extremely destructive form of strip
mining found throughout Appalachia, with some mines as big as the island of
Manhattan. Coalfield residents say that it tears apart communities,
poisons water supplies, pollutes the air and destroys our nation's natural
heritage – while only making the climate crisis worse.
"The mountains being destroyed by mountaintop removal here in eastern
Kentucky are very similar to the mountains of western North Carolina," said Teri
Blanton of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. "Mountaintop removal is destroying
our culture and biodiversity across Appalachia, and we are pleased to see that
the people of North Carolina, who value their mountains, recognize the
connection and want to treat all the mountains of the region with the same
respect."
Thirteen North Carolina power plants purchase coal from mountaintop removal
mine sites, according to the records included in the My Connection tool created
by Appalachian Voices, online at www.ilovemountains.org.
"With this landmark legislation, North Carolina has a chance to lead the
nation in calling for an end to highly destructive and unnecessary mountaintop
removal mining," said Mary Anne Hitt, Executive Director of Appalachian
Voices. "North Carolinians know we can find better ways to generate
electricity."
Sixty-one percent of the electricity used to power North Carolina homes and
businesses is generated by coal-fired power plants. Nationwide, North
Carolina is second only to Georgia in its use of mountaintop removal
coal.
North Carolina bill introduced to end mountaintop removal mining
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x1657961100
May 27, 2008 @ 05:46 PM
Herald-Dispatch.com
RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, Representative Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) and
Appalachian Voices announced the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act, a bill
to end the use of coal obtained from mountaintop removal mining – a
controversial form of strip mining. If passed, North Carolina would be the
first state in the nation to implement such legislation.
"Right now, North Carolina is one of the nation's top consumers of coal from
mountaintop removal mining," said Rep. Harrison. "That needs to
change. Mountaintop removal coal mining presents a clear and present
danger to the Appalachian Mountains, which are home to a vibrant and indelible
culture, stunning biodiversity and enormous economic potential."
Mountaintop removal coal mining is an extremely destructive form of strip
mining found throughout Appalachia, with some mines as big as the island of
Manhattan. Coalfield residents say that it tears apart communities,
poisons water supplies, pollutes the air and destroys our nation's natural
heritage – while only making the climate crisis worse.
"The mountains being destroyed by mountaintop removal here in eastern
Kentucky are very similar to the mountains of western North Carolina," said Teri
Blanton of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. "Mountaintop removal is destroying
our culture and biodiversity across Appalachia, and we are pleased to see that
the people of North Carolina, who value their mountains, recognize the
connection and want to treat all the mountains of the region with the same
respect."
Thirteen North Carolina power plants purchase coal from mountaintop removal
mine sites, according to the records included in the My Connection tool created
by Appalachian Voices, online at www.ilovemountains.org.
"With this landmark legislation, North Carolina has a chance to lead the
nation in calling for an end to highly destructive and unnecessary mountaintop
removal mining," said Mary Anne Hitt, Executive Director of Appalachian
Voices. "North Carolinians know we can find better ways to generate
electricity."
Sixty-one percent of the electricity used to power North Carolina homes and
businesses is generated by coal-fired power plants. Nationwide, North
Carolina is second only to Georgia in its use of mountaintop removal
coal.