Hundreds Of Miners Rally At Capitol

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Updated: 6:40 PM Mar 13, 2008 Hundreds Of Miners Rally At Capitol Nearly 2,000 coal miners rallied at the State Capitol against the Stream-Saver Bill. Posted: 1:48 PM Mar 13, 2008

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Hundreds of coal miners held a rally at the state capital.

The miners are upset about a bill that would end the process of mountain top removal. It's called the stream saver bill.

The practice of mountain top removal involves using explosives to remove rock on mountains. The debris, or overburden, is then pushed into a nearby valley or hollow.

Opponents say the practice contaminates the environment.

The stream-saver bill was killed in a committee, but could be resurrected.
The miners say this bill would eliminate hundreds of jobs in Kentucky.

Nearly 2000 miners showed up for the rally, making this one of the biggest rallies in Frankfort in recent years.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Casie Location: Lancaster on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:16 PM

God created all, mountains too! But he gave us the knowledge to utilize the resources he put in the ground(oil,coal, gas). Reclaimation brings opportunity to the land not doom. The wildlife enjoys it as well. I haven't heard anything about the Thriving ELK herd being run off by MTR, bet they hate the grazing and ponds provided by MTR.Fact is many people thru-out the nation are dependent on coal in one way or another. By driving strip mining out of east. KY you not only take away many families livelihood but also increase the demand for foreign fuel. If you are opposed to coal, switch your utilities to gas & boycott any business that uses electric from coal. Money isn't everything, but you sure can't get far in this country without it. Eastern KY doesn't offer many good paying jobs not involved with coal in some form.Those opposed to strip mining:how about the destruction brought by those highways and expansions of such?I don't recall great efforts reclaim that land,Oh and car exhaust!ew
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Posted by: Shellie Location: Letcher County, Kentucky on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:49 PM

In response to the so called comment about being proud of so and so. I am proud of my family. Not jsut the coal miners but everyone. But I have a question for you. When was the last time you seen a driver crawl two or three miles underground with very little protection to keep the earth above you from caving in on your head. Knowing that if you die there, you may stay there. When was the last time that someone you knew risk their life to provide energy for this country and make a living for their family. I agree that a lot of professions are dangerous but those people get acknowledged for their services. Coal miners risk their lives everyday and it is only when someone gets hurt or killed that they are talked about and not in the best way. Safety has come a long way but like you say, no job is 100% safe. Lets leave well enough alone and say thank you and be proud of each other and our miners. I am sure you say thank you to your postman when you get mail 6 days a week
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Posted by: Shellie Location: Letcher County, Kentucky on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:39 PM

I have a response to the comment about God making the mountains and the valleys. I believe that God made this world how he wanted it. I agree with you on that point. But have you stopped to think that God did not intend for many things to happen to this earth. What about the land that has been moved to make malls, parking lots and gas stations. Nothing is built, constructed or worked on that the earth is not moved in some form. I agree that while a MTR job is in process it does not look good, but go look at land that has been reclaimed. It is beautiful and useful. I know that coal mining destroys some homes and water wells, but how many millions of dollars is coal severance tax bringing into our counties to provide city water. And for the comment about safety. My husband is a foreman for a coal company that just went to Washington DC to accept an award for Safety. They worked more hours than any other coal operation in their division with the least accidents. I am proud.
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