Take five minutes now, and save years of anguish for communities struggling with the devastating impacts of coal mining. From Arizona to Montana, the Dakotas to Texas, Illinois to Pennsylvania to Appalachia, if you believe that mountains and prairies are more than just overburden, streams are more than just dump sites, and people's homes and water are more important than "cheap" megawatts, then take action: Tell government officials that Pizarchik is the wrong choice to head the OSMRE.

The Senate confirmation vote for Joseph Pizarchik could occur within the next week - so it is absolutely crucial to act now so the Obama Administration will withdraw this terrible nomination. If you need more information about Pizarchik, watch this YouTube.

Step 1: Send the e-mail below to these two addresses:
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, via Thomas_Strickland@ios.doi.gov
and Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee via sam_fowler@energy.senate.gov.

Step 2: Send the e-mail to your Senator using this link.

Step 3: Send this email on to your friends and family.

Working together, we can transform OSMRE into the agency it was established to be, balancing coal extraction with protection and stewardship, but only with the right leaders!

Sample e-mail:

Thomas_Strickland@ios.doi.gov;sam_fowler@energy.senate.gov

Hello,

I am very concerned about President Obama’s choice to nominate Joseph Pizarchik for Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). With Mr. Pizarchik as legal council to Pennsylvania’s mining program, and then Director of the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), citizens have suffered from a bureaucratic indifference toward meeting the purposes of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).

Three foundational purposes behind the passage of SMCRA in 1977 were to “establish a nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations” to “assure the rights of landowners” and to “protect the environment.”

1. A 2007 independent review of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s own monitoring data has revealed that 10 of 15 mine sites where coal ash has been “beneficially used” are contaminating surface and groundwater.

2. In a consensus report, National Research Council scientists concluded that Mr. Pizarchik’s program of alleged “beneficial use” of coal ash in mines did not use safeguards needed for this practice.

3. A federal court ruled that Mr. Pizarchik’s bonding program failed SMCRA’s bonding requirements to prevent water pollution.

4. Mr. Pizarchik attempted to prevent citizens from obtaining information under the Freedom of Information Act.

5. Mr. Pizarchik was involved in amending regulations under Pennsylvania’s Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act to allow variances to fill valleys with coal processing waste. This has obliterated dozens of miles of Pennsylvania streams.

6. Mr. Pizarchik’s longwall mining policy has devastated homes, destroyed streams and water supplies and violated the rights of landowners.

For the reasons stated above and more, I respectfully suggest that the OSMRE needs someone who will break the mold of indifference to landowner rights and environmental damage and “protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations.” Mr. Pizarchik is not the appropriate choice for the position.

Sincerely,

Your Name 

This is our chance to show the world that the answer to global economic recovery is building an economy based on clean energy. It's how we put Americans back to work, create millions of clean energy jobs, and decrease the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

Leaders from the United States and around the world need to know that we won't settle for anything less. Will you add your voice to the rally for a clean energy future?

If yes, join us for a rally in Pittsburg on Sept. 23 from 6-9 p.m. Free tickets are limited and going fast!

Sierra Club is organizing buses from various points to the rally, which features musical entertainment and a focus on clean energy jobs and comprehensive climate legislation, and will be held at Point State Park, 101 Commonwealth Pl # 1 in Pittsburgh.

If you want to catch the bus  in West Virginia, or get tickets for the rally, sign up now by clicking here. If you need more information, contact Hillary Bright, 412.802.6161, hillary.bright@sierraclub.org.

Other groups are organizing other events during this time period in Pittsburgh. Learn more here.

Nov. 14-19: Watch Coal Country on the Planet Green digital cable network, which is affiliated with the Discovery Channel. The documentary airs as part of the network's new series of environmental films called 'Reel Impact.'