Several groups opposed to moutaintop-removal coal mining are asking a West Virginia judge to order a state Department of Environmental Protection hearing to determine the fate of Blair Mountain, just days before CNN is to air a documentary on the issue, using the mountain as an example. (MapQuest image)
"DEP can't just skip the public hearing because it's more convenient for them to do so," Bill Price of the Sierra Club said in court. "Blair Mountain belongs to all West Virginians, and all West Virginians have a right to weigh in." The Associated Press reports the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Friends of Blair Mountain, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, the West Virginia Labor History Association and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy are also in the lawsuit.
On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. ET and PT, CNN will air the documentary, "The Battle for Blair Mountain: Working in America," focusing on mountaintop removal's impact on communities, jobs and the enviroment, Taylor Kuykendall of The Register-Herald in Beckley, W.Va., reports. The documentary will air again on Saturday, Aug. 20. (We have seen promotions on CNN saying the program airs this Sunday, but CNN's website says Aug. 14.) Correspondent Soledad O'Brien examines the fight over proposed mining of the mountain and a recent march to it protesting the plan and commemorating the 1921 battle between union members and federal troops.
For CNN's summary of the show, click here. Click here for additional reporting on the mountaintop-removal debate and video excerpts from the show. CNN Student News says it will have guides for educators and parents on its website before the documentary airs.
I was at the march. I met many reasonable people who understand that its not a false dichotomy about jobs vs. environment. The headliners just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI hope the actual documentary is more reasonable at presenting the nuanced views of those of us who know that we can have electricity, jobs, and a clean, healthy world.