I still have trouble reconciling the characterization of CO2 as a "problem" with it's absolute necessity for plant life.

 

Look, I'm far from a tree-hugger. But at the rate we eat up farm land and green spaces to build unnecessary suburbs, the plants have a hard time keeping up with us and the animals.

I'm not sure what you mean by this..:confused:

 

Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship

Could the absence of coal create and atmosphere for developing economic diversity in the state's coal producing regions?

 

I'm not convinced that Coal has been a good thing for the people of the areas it affects. Poverty and education rates in our state's coal regions are among the lowest in the country.

 

I do not want to belittle the personal effect this could have on any individual. I would empathize with anyone who lost their job for reasons out of their control. But I could see where the absence of coal would forcibly create and expedite the development of other industries.

Could the absence of coal create and atmosphere for developing economic diversity in the state's coal producing regions?

 

I'm not convinced that Coal has been a good thing for the people of the areas it affects. Poverty and education rates in our state's coal regions are among the lowest in the country.

 

I do not want to belittle the personal effect this could have on any individual. I would empathize with anyone who lost their job for reasons out of their control. But I could see where the absence of coal would forcibly create and expedite the development of other industries.

 

With the difficulties of transportation in and out of the mountains, as well as the relative lack of skilled and educated labor, it really isn't all that attractive a place for businesses to relocate. Less dependence on coal would only speed the mass exodus out of the mountains that has already been underway for decades.

I still have trouble reconciling the characterization of CO2 as a "problem" with it's absolute necessity for plant life.

 

Tell that to the planet Venus.

Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship

 

:thumb:

Could the absence of coal create and atmosphere for developing economic diversity in the state's coal producing regions?

 

I'm not convinced that Coal has been a good thing for the people of the areas it affects. Poverty and education rates in our state's coal regions are among the lowest in the country.

 

I do not want to belittle the personal effect this could have on any individual. I would empathize with anyone who lost their job for reasons out of their control. But I could see where the absence of coal would forcibly create and expedite the development of other industries.

 

Agree 100% with everything said here, But here in EKY, Miners are far from poverty, It's the check drawers driving the % of poverty up. People who actually work around mines, Are in pretty good shape, I may be a lilttle off here, But estimating, I gross between $4,500-$6,000 a month. Which puts me somewhere around $3,600 a month bring home...And I work for one of the lowest paying companies around...Not to bad i don't think

Look, I'm far from a tree-hugger. But at the rate we eat up farm land and green spaces to build unnecessary suburbs, the plants have a hard time keeping up with us and the animals.

 

By this reasoning why not pick a date, say 1900, and tear down everything that has been built since? Give those plants, trees and animals more room to roam and play.

One last thing...

 

Was talking at work today, IF everyone associated with coal in some way, Decided to strike on coal for 2 weeks, The US would buckle because of it, And set this country back more the Obama ever could....Plain and simple

With the difficulties of transportation in and out of the mountains, as well as the relative lack of skilled and educated labor, it really isn't all that attractive a place for businesses to relocate. Less dependence on coal would only speed the mass exodus out of the mountains that has already been underway for decades.

 

There a tons of skilled workers, the perception that coal miners have no skill is so wrong now at days. Electricians, engineers, operators are all highly skilled.

 

NO LAND is the problem.

 

Mountain top removal helps solve that if done right.

There a tons of skilled workers, BUT NO LAND.

 

Mountain top removal help solve that if done right.

 

:thumb:

By this reasoning why not pick a date, say 1900, and tear down everything that has been built since? Give those plants, trees and animals more room to roam and play.

 

That's completely ridiculous and you know it, and you know I would advocate no such extreme response — don't try to paint me that way.

 

The fact still remains that we are consuming farmland and green space at way too fast a rate. What's wrong with responsible growth? Why can't there be a middle ground?

There a tons of skilled workers, the perception that coal miners have no skill is so wrong now at days. Electricians, engineers, operators are all highly skilled.

 

I didn't say there wasn't. Just that there are more attractive places, with a higher percentage of skilled and educated workers living there. I don't like that fact, but it is one nonetheless.

 

NO LAND is the problem.

 

Mountain top removal helps solve that if done right.

 

How long has that industrial park at Pound Gap lain dormant? You can offer up reclaimed strip jobs all you want. It's not a case of "if you build it, they will come." Not in Eastern Ky, anyway. The combination of poor transportation access and a relatively unskilled and uneducated work force is a hindrance to efforts to bring outside jobs into the mountains. It's just an unfortunate fact.

The combination of poor transportation access and a relatively unskilled and uneducated work force is a hindrance to efforts to bring outside jobs into the mountains. It's just an unfortunate fact.

 

I have to agree with this...Sad, But true..

I didn't say there wasn't. Just that there are more attractive places, with a higher percentage of skilled and educated workers living there. I don't like that fact, but it is one nonetheless.

 

 

 

How long has that industrial park at Pound Gap lain dormant? You can offer up reclaimed strip jobs all you want. It's not a case of "if you build it, they will come." Not in Eastern Ky, anyway. The combination of poor transportation access and a relatively unskilled and uneducated work force is a hindrance to efforts to bring outside jobs into the mountains. It's just an unfortunate fact.

 

I agree 100% Jim. If a factory were to start up in my county next week, I doubt they could fill their positions. Too many lazy, drugged up people being paid by Uncle Sam to stay at the house here. I have a friend that is in the manufacturing business and he says it's a constant revolving door for quitters and drug test failures.

 

That's why we need to get every pound of coal out of them hills, and hopefully there will be something come along for those that want to work.

 

Don't get me wrong, there are many in my county that work. They work from the coal fields to Toyota in Georgetown. Some factory job that pays $9 an hour won't draw them away from those jobs though.