The Rural Democrat

California Congressman George Miller Calls for Mine Seal Upgrades

OK, mining is a tough business and sealing off old mine works can also be tough business. California Congressman George Miller, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee over Mine Safety, is calling for upgrades for ALL existing mine seals.

In 2006 the Federal Government passed laws requiring blast proof seals for old mine works, only seals built after October of this year would be required to be blast proof. That means no foam block and tougher jointing techniques, but to upgrade ALL existing mine seals would be almost impossible considering the thousands that exist.

Upgrading old seals would likely require the complete disassembly of the old seals thus creating a far more dangerous situation. Miners will be killed if disassembly is required, you can bank on it. The release of sealed methane would result in a body count. Miller just needs to maintain the new rules we have and concentrate on saving miners in the future instead of sending them to their deaths over politics.

Massey Energy Forced to Restructure Their Pirate Operation

For years the fearless outlaw-like operation of Massey Energy has enjoyed mega profits while destroying everything in site. Now a shareholders lawsuit has resulted in the forced addition of an oversight element to the notorious coal baron's corporate structure.

Reform is not in Massey's vocabulary and even though a West Virginia Circuit Court Judge has ruled in favor of the Plaintiff, I expect Massey to figure out someway to conduct business as usual. Business as usual resulted in a historic fine from federal regulators to the tune of $20 million.

In the settlement with the Manville Trust, which resolves personal injury claims resulting from exposure to the asbestos-related products of the Johns-Manville Corporation and its affiliated entities, Massey Energy Co. agreed to significant structural changes and initiatives to improve and advance the company's environmental and worker-safety practices. The reforms provided by the settlement include the creation of new corporate vice presidents for Best Environmental Practices and Best Safety Practices, the implementation of an annual "Corporate Social Responsibility Report" to shareholders, and additional measures to improve monitoring and compliance. Originally proposed in May, the settlement was approved by Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Irene Berger on June 25, 2008.

Adventure Tourism Not a Popular Subject for Some

UPDATE: I need to elaborate on this post a little. The people supposedly being ignored is our regional local officials not the coal industry. I am hearing that some are worried that some in Frankfort think they know without asking about our regional situation. Well if we use the debacle that was the Senate district 30 special election as an example, Frankfort, for the most part, doesn't know squat about our region and they better listen to our local leaders.

 Adventure Tourism has some in Eastern Kentucky a tad nervous. Not the majority of the population, not the local elected officials and certainly not regional small business owners. A storm is brewing with the regional land companies and coal companies.

Today James River Coal Company is closing a deal that will give them control over 20 million tons of central Appalachian coal reserves and most of that is surface coal and I am hearing that some of the region's major coal companies are moving to consolidate their holdings, I am sure it has nothing to do with adventure tourism but that is a talked about subject within the smokey board rooms. A contact within the coal industry told me personally that the industry is not interested in seeing their land over-ran by ATV's and out-of-towners and if pushed, they will fence it and post it. "post it" meaning posting no trespassing signs. 

A few local officials told me that some land companies and coal companies are willing to play along with the adventure tourism boom, but are nervous about the trend. A rumored plan for a major acquisition of mountain land, some say up to 30,000 acres, by the Commonwealth is becoming a hot topic in certain coal circles and regional land companies are not happy about it. It would do some in the state a great deal of good to listen to certain people and not ignore these guys.  

Land companies and coal companies have been unusually quiet about this budding industry, but I think the dragon is awakening.

Read the amazing exchange on the Bell County Forum, these forums are taking over. Even though I don't always agree with Judge Brock, he is stepping up an interested in creating an ordinance protecting our Native American Graves in Bell County and for that I and all of my people are grateful! I also appreciate the Bell County Adventure Tourism Coordinator Jon Grace for being so open and willing to help.

http://bellcounty.forumcircle.com/viewtopic.php?t=898

Paul Patton's Bold Leadership? Alessi says so.

Ryan Alessi writes a column that is best describes as strange. He digs up the bones of the political past and is seemingly trying to resurrect a ghost whose legacy will likely be remembered by an embarrassing Jimmy Swaggart like performance in front of a shocked and angry Commonwealth. Could former Governor Paul Patton (D) be staging a comeback?

With a successful special session under seemingly impossible circumstances, Alessi opens his op-ed by taking a shot at Beshear using a part of his campaign theme to drive the dagger home. Governor Steve Beshear (D) brought bickering legislative leaders to the table and also managed to appease King David Williams in the process. But after a remarkable political example of true leadership, what does Beshear get? What does the Commonwealth's most popular news publication write about? Paul Patton's bold leadership"??".

I will never be enthusiastic by any rumored Patton comeback, he placed a horrible burden on the backs of Kentucky's coal miners while destroying workers comp in the process. Even though he did appear to attempt to fix the problem, he will be forever remembered in the Eastern and Western Coal Fields as the great Satan. I experienced the terrible results of Patton's knife first hand and I would like to forget that part of my life but I will never forget or forgive him.

Governor Beshear deserves credit for a successful special session, Patton deserves a pat on the back and a rocking chair. But rumors are starting that he is sniffing a run in 2010. But I expect current Attorney General Jack Conway (D) to announce a run against Bunning and Patton would never primary him. Or would he? Maybe it will one of those run and drop out and endorse jobs a couple of weeks before the primary. In Kentucky politics anything is possible.

Coal is Critical to our National Security

Barack Obama is trying to appeal to rural voters in Kentucky by running a coal ad that touts his accomplishment of helping secure funds for clean coal technology. (See Ad Here)  He is also planning on campaigning a bit in the Bluegrass State. I am little surprised he is but glad to see it. But I am not sure just how coal friendly Barack Obama really is, I hate to say that but it is true. 

We look at Saudi Arabia as the king of good light crude oil. Venezuela's heavier crude is becoming more coveted and is making that small country very rich. The United States is the Saudi Arabia of coal and our very future depends on providing cheap energy to America and then the world.

A study a few years ago weighed in on the possibility of the tap running dry in the Middle East and or soaring oil prices becoming a prelude to a bitter recession that could provide a death blow to part of our society as we know it. The impact on the economy would be devastating and then our national security situation becomes critical. But one light at the end of the tunnel was always our vast coal reserves and the possibility of new technology making it possible to find crude oil in once thought impossible places. The need for energy is paramount and demand is as high as it has ever been. Now we are hanging up our keys to the SUVs and talking Green, which is a good thing. Green is sexy, Green is in fashion. And coal is as demonized as it has ever been, which is not a good thing.

Clean Coal technology is possible, but it will not happen over night. The next President will, as usual, be challenged with some of the most awesome responsibilities known to man. He will be faced with historical world discontent, wars and rumors of wars will be as prevalent as California wild fires. Coal is as important as the US Army and or the Marine Corps, that is fact. But we need to make it cleaner to burn, that is also fact. Hopefully Obama will lead the charge and take clean coal technology seriously.   

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This is why Coal has a Bad Name!

Make no mistakes here, I am a supporter of coal, a supporter of the industry and a supporter of the people who mine it. Today the Kentuckians For The Commonwealth published a story that makes my skin crawl and while I am a staunch supporters of the industry, this is why coal has a bad name.

The couple did originally have a contract with the company, but the company broke it.  As a result, the couple has repeated told them they were not allowed on their property.  Earlier this week, the company has made numerous attempts to come on their land anyway.  They have already disturbed about two acres of the property.  Yesterday, Raleigh had to take things into his own hands and block the company’s bulldozer from continuing to disturb their land.

“Yesterday morning, my neighbor informed us that the coal company was coming on our land.  They bulldozed one of our “no trespassing” signs.  After I went up there, they worked on the other side of the branch for a while.  While I was waiting it out, I heard over the CB that they wanted to knock a tree over on me.  Later, one of the bulldozer operators came within 5 feet of me on my four-wheeler, saying that he needed to build a road.  I think he was just trying to intimidate me,” Raleigh shared.

The state police came in and told the coal company that it would be considered murder if they ran over Raleigh.

I know people who have had similar experiences. I fought Massey Energy "Coal" like the devil when they were sleazing around Harlan County and hopefully I made a small contribution keeping them out of Harlan County. Massey Energy "Coal" sits at the top of the gangster coal operator shit pile, but they have finally been handed an historic fine of $20 million for years of violating environmental law. Their demise should have been an awakening for others who have followed their criminal lead. The day of the do-what-we-want coal baron is over.

But as everyone that lives in coal country know coal operators can be a mean bunch. But most are realizing the power of communication and community organizing. The ones who don't realize that power, are going down in flames, it is just a matter of time.

FutureGen Projects Could Bring Clean Coal Technology to Kentucky

The Department of Energy, DOE, has placed more than $1.8 billion on the plate for a restructure of the FutureGen project. The DOE pulled the plug on a massive FutureGen plant in Illinois, opting to invest in multiple plants instead of just 1.

The goal is to find a way to economically capture Co2 emissions from a coal fired power plant. This is an exciting project revamp because it finally concentrates massive amounts of money toward the real issue, Co2 emissions.

From the Louisville Courier Journal

The state recently invited public and private businesses and organizations to respond to the federal effort to restructure FutureGen.

...

Sharing in any FutureGen projects is “definitely a priority for our state,” said Brad Stone, assistant director for Kentucky’s Division of Energy Research, Development & Demonstration.

His division, part of the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy, joined the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in forming a partnership to participate in revamping the clean-coal project.

Col. Andrew Horne presents Issues Platform

U.S. Senate candidate Col. Andrew Horne (D) has released an abbreviated version of his comprehensive issues platform (HERE) and it appears the he may be the only candidate, so far, that actually has an issues platform.

Horne released his ideas on everything from Jobs & Trade to Coal and Education. Quite a few people in Eastern Kentucky are waiting on Col. Horne's energy platform and more specifically his views on coal and coal production.

Horne briefly mentions clean coal as a viable green option for future clean energy, which we will certainly need. He also stated the very important fact that while U.S. energy production is a concern for those who worry about the future of our environment, it is also a national security concern. Our ability to produce our own energy without dependence on foreign sources is one of our most significant national security isues.

More issues below, Read Horne's entire abbreviated platform (HERE)

Jobs & Trade:   We need to be doing more to create and protect Kentucky jobs. My opponent is the #1 proponent of unregulated trade. The result has been thousands of Kentucky jobs lost to Mexico and China. We need “Fair Trade.” That means supporting enforceable agreements and a trade balance that puts America first.

Iraq:   As I said when I began this campaign: “While Mitch McConnell carried George W. Bush’s water on Iraq – I carried a rifle in Iraq.” This war in Iraq was recklessly conceived, incompetently executed and now costs a quarter of a trillion dollars yearly. We need to bring our combat forces home with a responsible redeployment and rebuild our alliances with the international community. Here in America, we have bridges collapsing and our veterans’ hospitals are in a disgraceful state of disrepair. It’s time to focus on fixing our own country. We need to be investing American resources at home and not in Iraq.

Guns:  I am a firm supporter of the Second Amendment.

The 2008 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly Preview

Some will consider this session of the Kentucky General Assembly to be Governor Steve Beshear's first opportunity to shine or fall. Already the howling has begun (here, and here) in regards to ethics reform. Beshear and Mongiardo made ethics a cornerstone of their campaign but as the pair fight their way through the first full month of their new administration, their ethics reform package has yet to be finalized.

Ethics or the economy, ethics or the economy, lets try this one more time, ethics or the economy? I expect the pitiful state of our Commonwealth's economy may have motivated a shift in priority, but I am of course just guessing.

John Stamper, Jack Brammer and Brandon Ortiz has a wonderful synopsis of some of the issues that will certainly grace the floor of our general assembly in 2008.

• Stamper - Ethics
• Brammer - Transportation
• Ortiz - Immigration 

Expanded Gaming:

Something missing from the list above? Casinos. Already groups are fueling up for the expanded gaming drag race, already the group "Say No To Casinos" have challenged lawmakers and other elected officials to reveal any campaign contributions from the gaming industry. I say to them, go to KREF and do your homework like us bloggers. Relationships that may be considered unlawful, should be disclosed.

Kentucky needs a new revenue stream and while my religious views are causing me stomach aches, I understand the need to pay the bills and the need to improve education. One fundamental issue that nags me is the mandated treatment options that SHOULD be added as legislative language. If Kentucky lawmakers make this move toward mandated treatment, they can take some of the heat off this proposed change in our laws and hopefully open up a new avenue to maneuver the amendment vote.

Immigration:

State Rep. Rick Nelson (D) has prefiled a bill that will place employers of illegal immigrant labor on the hot seat. Nelson believes the outcry form the citizens of the Commonwealth was enough to move forward with his proposed legislation. This could be our "hot bill" to watch and may receive national attention if the proposed bill catches fire. With only a 60 day session, it will be 50/50 if a bill of this nature can gain any traction. If Nelson's bill does gain steam, you can forget expanded gaming. I can not see how a conservative push for this bill would allow any room for a non conservative expanded gaming proposal. Like I have suggested before; the issue of illegal immigration could dictate the outcome of the race for U.S. Senate, polls suggest otherwise at the moment, if this issue become fashionable, look out.

Energy:

The front has been quiet in regards to energy. The fuel was expended during the mid summer special session that resulted in a potential revolutionary energy overall that was stomped on by the national media and ridiculed as a Fletcher compromise by some Democratic bloggers and left leaning media. Now we develop the technology required to make coal cleaner, Co2 capture should receive mega federal grant dollars. Coal is our business and it may come out of the ground dirty, but we can work together and find a way to develop clean coal technology and reduce our Co2 emissions. Co2 emission reduction is NOT a suggestion it is a requirement. Again Rep. Nelson has prefiled a bill that would create tax credits smarter energy use.

Already Henderson is leading the pack by developing Coal Tech Task Force and already environmentalists have attacked their effort. John Blair, president of Valley Watch called the effort "mentally ill" and made a very stupid remark saying  "We don't need additional generating capacity,". I am an advocate for the environment, but the activists, which I respect most of, might want to muzzle some of their friends. Just like we need to muzzle poor ole Gooch.

Kentucky Coal Production Down

Like my Grandfather said, "if you want a career in the mines, it is feast or famine". Looks like Kentucky coal is dipping, Kentucky experienced a 5.2% drop in production in 2007. Virginia dropped 10.2%. Could we seeing our next coal famine?