Coal Counties Endure New Generation of Mine Wars Posted Thursday, July 30, 2009 ; 06:00 AM

West Virginia’s southern coal fields are caught in a tug-of-war between jobs and the environment. Story by Mike Ruben

Excerpts from today’s story in the State Journal:

“We are in a war,”

O. Eugene Kitts,a senior vice president with the International Coal Group, commented during a recent appearance on “Decision Makers,” a statewide public affairs television program.





“I believe that mining is going to survive this attack,” he continued.

“I think when the public is informed and their political representatives are informed that this assault on surface mining is based on such a strenuous type of basis, that we will prevail in this battle.

We are in a war, and that war will continue….”

Coal Counties Endure New Generation of Mine Wars

Posted Thursday, July 30, 2009 ; 06:00 AM

West Virginia’s southern coal fields are caught in a tug-of-war between jobs and the environment.

Story by Mike Ruben

Mine wars now carry a different connotation around southern West Virginia in the new millennium.

“We’re under siege,” Mingo County coal executive James “Buck” Harless of International Industries recently said regarding the actions of the Obama administration. “There’s a mass movement against coal.”

Read the rest of the story here