In a recent article entitled, “Manchin: Coal opponents in ‘fantasy world’,” I was pleased to see Gov. Joe Manchin say that he “would be happy to oblige” the request of college campuses who want to do without coal. While Gov. Manchin was obviously being facetious, countless West Virginians and Americans aren’t joking around when it comes to coal.
We’re not joking around about the 21,000 hospitalizations, 38,000 heart attacks, and 24,000 deaths that are caused by pollution from coal plants each year. We’re also not joking around when it comes to the health of our families, the preservation of our mountains, or the ability of American businesses and workers to compete in the emerging, clean energy economy. Nor are we taking lightly the enormous challenges posed by global warming, towards which coal plants contribute almost 40 percent of our nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
The fact of the matter is that coal use is destructive in every phase of the process. From mining, to burning, to disposal of toxic coal sludge, coal is an incredibly dirty and polluting energy source.
Instead of holding the American people back from a clean energy future that will better protect our family’s health, preserve our environment, and kick-start our stagnant economy, why doesn’t Gov. Manchin really step aside and oblige?
Ryan Doyle
Columbia, Mo.
