sailingaway
08-14-2010, 10:06 PM
http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/100696569.html
" Thousands of eastern Kentuckians are rallying in the name of coal.
Thousands spent their Saturday at "Coal Appreciation Day" at the Knott County Sportsplex. They the heat to rally for the industry that supporters say "keeps the lights on."
"Rallies like this is what we need to do. We need to make the EPA aware that we understand what they are trying to do, and that is shut down coal mining," said Johnny Ray Turner, Democrat State Senator for the 29th District.
Free food, games, and a concert from Stella Parton were part of the entertainment. But officials said their top priority was to educate everyone about the importance of the mining industry.
"This coal's gotta go on in this part of the country for people to survive. If it goes down, it'd be a scary time here," Glenn Stone, a retired coal miner, said.
Many at the event feel coal mining is under attack from Washington, and further regulations from the EPA are hurting the industry and families.
"We still want industry to thrive because we have huge unemployment now. But what are they doing in eastern Kentucky? They won't give any mining permits," said Rand Paul, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate.
Local politicians say the battle for coal is beyond party lines.
"It's not about party lines. It's about doing what we know is right. Not just for us, but for all things about coal and energy impact," said Brandon Smith, Republican State Senator for the 30th District.
"We gotta protect our way of life and fight to have what we do, and that's mine coal for a living," said W. Keith Hall, Democrat State Representative for the 93rd District.
The crowd hopes their voices are heard from Frankfort to Washington."
" Thousands of eastern Kentuckians are rallying in the name of coal.
Thousands spent their Saturday at "Coal Appreciation Day" at the Knott County Sportsplex. They the heat to rally for the industry that supporters say "keeps the lights on."
"Rallies like this is what we need to do. We need to make the EPA aware that we understand what they are trying to do, and that is shut down coal mining," said Johnny Ray Turner, Democrat State Senator for the 29th District.
Free food, games, and a concert from Stella Parton were part of the entertainment. But officials said their top priority was to educate everyone about the importance of the mining industry.
"This coal's gotta go on in this part of the country for people to survive. If it goes down, it'd be a scary time here," Glenn Stone, a retired coal miner, said.
Many at the event feel coal mining is under attack from Washington, and further regulations from the EPA are hurting the industry and families.
"We still want industry to thrive because we have huge unemployment now. But what are they doing in eastern Kentucky? They won't give any mining permits," said Rand Paul, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate.
Local politicians say the battle for coal is beyond party lines.
"It's not about party lines. It's about doing what we know is right. Not just for us, but for all things about coal and energy impact," said Brandon Smith, Republican State Senator for the 30th District.
"We gotta protect our way of life and fight to have what we do, and that's mine coal for a living," said W. Keith Hall, Democrat State Representative for the 93rd District.
The crowd hopes their voices are heard from Frankfort to Washington."