Class Action Suit Accuses Pennsylvania of Using Mine Fire to Seize Coal-Rich Land

[The Straight Story]

Class Action Suit Accuses Pennsylvania of Using Mine Fire to Seize Coal-Rich Land

Monday, November 01, 2010 A Park in Centralia State and local officials in Pennsylvania, as well as a law firm representing coal mining interests, are being sued for allegedly conspiring to move residents off their property for the sake of a land grab.

People living in the Borough of Centralia in northeastern Pennsylvania lost their homes after being told by authorities that an underground coal mine fire threatened the area. But the residents claim the fire was never a real threat to them and was used by a county redevelopment agency to abuse its condemnation powers so a coal company could purchase land containing billions of dollars worth of coal deposits.

The underground fire began in 1962 in an abandoned coal stripping pit that was used as a trash dump in Conyngham Township outside the Borough of Centralia. In 1983, the Bureau of Mines Office of Surface Mining issued a report warning of the dangers of The Centralia Mine Fire, and the Columbia County Redevelopment Authority began a voluntary relocation program for residents of Centralia Borough, although no evidence was presented that the fire actually extended to the Borough.

Meanwhile, according to the lawsuit, mining companies and government officials knew about the extensive coal deposits, but did not reveal the information to the residents of the area. Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, the law firm representing the coal interests, made a claim for subsurface mineral rights below Centralia, and the Columbia County Redevelopment Authority initiated a claim of eminent domain.

http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Class_Action_Suit_Accuses_Pennsylvania_of_Using_Mine_Fire_to_Seize_Coal_Rich_Land_101101

[dipsydoodle]

1. What a charming world we live in

NOT.

[sweetapogee]

3. the only way

to put out the fire is to mine the coal in-front of the fire to remove the fuel. That is the reality that must be faced. If they let the fire continue to burn, it will continue for another 100 years. There is literally nothing left in the town, nothing except a park with a few benches. A creepier place would be hard to find. Last time I drove through Centralia, the night before a few inches of snow fell and you could see by the bare land just exactly where the fire is. It is very close to the town but is not heading toward any remaining structures. The area outside of Centralia is as rural as it gets in this part of the state. I'm a volunteer fire fighter and since I was taking a training class at the Schuylkill County fire training grounds in Frackville, I took the ride over there with a gas monitor and the CO levels at the edge of the park, at times when the wind stopped were slightly above normal range, what you would expect to find in a room filled with smokers or if you were operating the monitor next to a car with a running engine. Not enough to kill you but I wouldn't want to be there long term. And this is outside don't forget.

I don't mean to spoil the fun, but I own my property but I don't own the mineral rights. The same would apply to the property in Centralia. If the coal companies decide to dig on my property there is nothing I can do to stop them. In NE PA coal country, there are plenty of places where lots of coal can be removed without anyone batting an eye. The area surrounding Centralia is wide open just begging to be mined. There are mines in the area but there is also a lot of low hanging fruit just rotting on the vine.

I feel bad for the people in Centralia and the story is fascinating, books and movies have been written but a visit to the area puts it all into perspective. The last few remaining holdouts should have taken the buy out and gotten on with their lives. In two years, the fire will be celebrating it's 50 years anniversary. Every year that goes by without a resolution means that much more coal is lost. It is my understanding that there are approx 140 mine fires in PA. There is one within 900 feet of the Panther Valley High School in Carbon County. Yet no one wants to do what is necessary to deal with the problem. Sometimes the treatment is painful but healing does come.

When ever I get a new road map of PA, the first thing I do is look to see if Centralia is shown. Most maps still show the town but it is easy to drive right past the town if you are not looking for it. A very sad place.

[joneschick]

4. thank you for sharing

and welcome to DU :hi:

[dipsydoodle]

5. Yes - thank you for sharing.

:hi:

[Hannah Bell]

2. government = executive committee of ruling class.