When the coal industry talks about clean coal, they are talking about the use of a technology that doesn't yet exist and by some estimates will not be developed for decades (Businessweek, Peak Oil Challenges and Responses, 22nd Annual Public Programs, Fort Collins government, Kyle Saunders CSU prof) to sequester the CO2 that's emitted through the burning of coal. Methods of coal mining aren't even addressed by this technology. Take a look at some photos of mountain-top removal practices that are happening DAILY in the United States, some of these are on the scale of 10 square miles :
The argument is often made that the coal industry provides much-needed jobs to economically-depressed areas. But I would argue that the industry provides only temporary employment at the cost of irreplaceable natural resources (eg. Reuters).
If you want your voice to be heard on this issue, or any issue you hold dear here is a link to find your state and federal representatives. Remeber, lobbyists are paid to put pressure on elected officials to further special interests groups - often industries with millions of dollars to spend to ensure legislation will be written in a way that benefits them. Industry does not have your best interest in mind, we must speak out on things that are unethical and impoverish us in the long-term (our health, our natural resources, our communities).
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
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