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Winds of Change Newsletter, September 2008 See sidebar for table of contents
From Mingo County to DC, Lobbying for Change in WV
by Carolyn van Zant
I have made three trips to Washington D.C. to lobby for
the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R.2169), and they have been among the
most rewarding experiences of my life. I have encountered some of the
most inspiring people Ive ever met, ranging in age from early twenties
into the seventies.
Ive learned that there are alternatives to coal but no
substitute for water. Every time a permit for mountaintop removal is
granted, the way is cleared for headwater streams to be buried. These
headwaters contribute to the water supply for all of America; once they
are buried they are never coming back!
Some members of Congress seem to grasp the absurdity of
blowing up our mountains to quickly extract a mere 5 percent of our coal
supply. They are from such diverse areas as Michigan, Missouri, Oregon
and Rhode Island.
There are supporters of the H.R.2169 from Kentucky,
Virginia and Tennessee, but not one congressperson from West Virginia
is willing to do anything to stop the destruction of our mountains.
The representatives from West Virginia are in some cases
supporters of this most environmentally destructive practice and are
supporting the coal companies rush to our destruction.
Clearly the people of West Virginia need representatives
who will protect their right to a clean environment. How can West
Virginia convince its senators and members of Congress to protect the
people and environment of the state of West Virginia?
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