THE OBSCENITY OF MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING AND POLITICS IN TENNESSEE

Reading editorials in support of the coal industry, almost always written by its own representatives, one would think that mountaintop removal mining (MRM) is an environmentally sound, even beneficial way to get at coal seams, one that improves public health. The aesthetic harm, ecosystemic devastation, extreme public health hazards of heavy metal displacement, and havoc wreaked upon wildlife are either down-played, overlooked, or disingenuously denied. Their editorials neglect to mention things like the twenty times higher than recognized as safe level of selenium around Zeb Mountain, in Campbell County, Zeb having been subjected to MRM, although coal spokespersons claim MRM does not occur in Tennessee, and those mining Zeb have been cited for many violations of environmental regulations, but go on with their legally dubious extraction with – to date –virtual impunity.

The state legislature, for the third straight year, procedurally quashed the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act (TSVPA), without letting it get out of committee for a vote. But then, Big Coal and its financial beneficiaries in government (at both state and federal levels) haven’t evidenced any zealous desire to subject environmental policy to democratic votes.

Some state legislators, however, bravely sponsored and/or advocated passage of TSVPA, and deserve public acknowledgement. The bill’s main Senate advocates this session were prime sponsor, Doug Jackson, co-sponsors, Tim Barnes and Eric Stewart, and supporter Charlotte Banks. In the House, advocates included prime sponsor, Michael McDonald, co-sponsors Willie “Butch” Borchert and Brenda Gilmore, and supporter George Fraley. Senator Bill Ketron and Rep. Bill Dunn also played key roles in promoting the bill.

One would be remiss to not also express gratitude to the Lindquist Environmental Appalachian Fellowship (LEAF), under the leadership of Dawn Coppock, Pat Hudson and Pat Chastain, for the remarkable work it has done in bringing this issue into public consciousness and, equally importantly, to the attention of the politicians at Legislative Plaza. This organization, a self-described Christian fellowship whose faith leads them to take action for Tennessee’s environment, has shown that religious activism can be politically progressive and efficacious.

Opponents of mountaintop removal mining are confident that a modicum of investigative due diligence will lead interested parties to the conclusion that this process is an environmental catastrophe, a public health disaster, a socio-economic boon to Big Coal and an egregious quality of life detriment to Appalachian citizens living near mine sites, as well as a moral obscenity to everyone called to exercise benign and protective stewardship over creation.

Why is it that a monolithic front to defeat TSVPA was employed with political ferocity by those arguing that the Responsible Mining Act of 2009 is more than sufficient to protect Tennessee from the ravages of mountaintop removal mining? As to the veracity of their claim, ask the citizens of the heavily mined regions in East Tennessee how that’s working out, rather than trusting the words of Big Coal spokespersons.

On April 1st, the EPA passed the most stringent curbs on MRM activities to date, but EPA’s enforcement record on regulations promulgated pursuant to the Clean Water Act (and other environmental laws) has been spotty at best when it comes to MRM activities. Beyond that, the new regulations have some loopholes and all administrative regulations are subject to change or reversal by subsequent administrations. For these reasons, those who oppose MRM should work for passage of two bills currently in Congress, the Clean Water Protection Act and the Appalachian Restoration Act (sponsored by our own Senator Lamar Alexander and Ben Cardin of Maryland), each of which would dramatically curb, if not eliminate MRM.

Neither the Tennessee legislature nor the U.S. Congress will act decisively to end MRM unless public opposition to this ecological obscenity reaches critical mass. Until it does, we are failing to fulfill our obligations to the land, our children and future generations. There is no such thing as restoration of a mountain, for one can only be preserved, not restored. How prophetic were the words of Isaiah, who said, “The earth is utterly broken, the earth is torn asunder, the earth is violently shaken.” It is time for more environmental justice and less corporate avarice.