OBAMA STRIP-MINING PICK BAD NEWS FOR COAL COUNTRY

[ensho]

http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=1236


Industry-Friendly State Regulator Signals There Will Be No Crackdown on Abuses


President Obama’s choice to run the Office of Surface Mining signifies that campaign promises to end environmentally destructive coal mining practices, such as mountain-top removal, will be abandoned, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Placating the coal industry is evolving into the central plank of the administration’s environmental agenda.

In July, after months of internal wrangling, President Obama passed over some prominent mining reform candidates to select Joseph G. Pizarchik, a long-time Pennsylvania mining regulator to head the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSM). Pizarchik is well liked by industry and loathed by coal community groups and environmentalists, many of which are opposing his confirmation.

During his tenure at Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, Pizarchik has hewn a solidly pro-industry line on topics such as acid mine drainage, subsidence from longwall mining and using mining slag as valley fill. In particular, Pizarchik has become a leading advocate for disposal of toxic industrial coal ash in coal mine sites, contending that it is a “beneficial use” of the same coal combustion waste involved in the disastrous TVA spill this past December.

Perhaps most disturbingly, during his August 6th confirmation hearing Pizarchik claimed ignorance on the issue of mountain-top removal or what changes the Obama administration might propose, since that mining technique is not widely used in his state. Given his industry orientation and the administration’s aversion to reformers, it would be more than mildly surprising for Pizarchik to ultimately take a strong environmental stand once confirmed. The Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources has yet to vote on his nomination.

-snip-

“OSM is a demoralized, hollowed-out agency and the prospects are it will stay that way,” Ruch added.
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why is Obama doing this?

have the coal Barons threatened to kidnap his children?

why Obama, why? tell us why.

[eShirl]

1. ugh

disappointing

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I wish he would stop doing things like this

[izquierdista]

3. Edit this down

Placating the coal industry is evolving into the central plank of the administration’s environmental agenda.

There, I think that describes just the kind of "change" we got.

[Vincardog]

4. Too true

[Myrina]

7. Sadly, you are 100% correct.

Sigh :(

[WhiteTara]

5. this goes along with MonSatan Vilsack as

Sec'y of Agriculture.
:cry:

[ima_sinnic]

6. now they're not even pretending they're even trying to fulfill campaign "promises"

regarding the Afghanistan folly, we're told we shouldn't complain because Obama never promised anything different. What is the argument now? that he's playing intergalactic chess, calling their bluff, and that this will all be revealed as some big strategy for the environment?
I don't think so. I think it's more like the trojan horse strategy.

[spanone]

8. i wonder who really runs this country?

[populistdriven]

9. S O M E - F A C T S

Coal is burned for 50% of all US electric power.

Carbon dioxide emitted by coal is only 25% of total US emissions of energy sector using fossil fuels and;

Carbon dioxide emitted by coal is only 30% of total US emissions of all energy sources including Nuclear and renewables.

So in order of effectiveness of lowering carbon dioxide emissions:

1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Renewable
4. Nuclear
5. COAL
6. Natural Gas
7. Oil

So if you are SERIOUS about stopping coal mining in the US fight like HELL for cap and trade to get passed because this is the only realistic way we can restructure our energy consumption.

Oh yea, your other choice is to take your left over duct tape and plastic sheeting and seal off half of your living space. Make sure you take either your fridge or all other electric kitchen appliances and place them in the sealed off area; also be sure you lower the water temp on your hot water heater to 94 degrees.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. WHAT??? I CAN'T READ WITH YOU SHOUTING AT ME!

[theHandpuppet]

11. I hate to tell you, "I told you so", but....

...I told you so.

Here's the entry (dated 2008) from my journal:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/theHandpuppet/92

[kath]

12. Another GREAT appointment! WOOT!

Government of the corporation, by the corporation and for the corporation continues apace...