MTR in the news - from an email this morning

hi everyone, I got this email this morning from Appalachian Voices...
have a great day. -Suzy

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news from AV outreach -

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There have been some exciting new developments in our campaign
against mountaintop removal coal mining. The July issue of O Magazine
(Oprah's magazine) has hit the newsstands, and it features an
incredible article by Jeff Goodell about women in the West Virginia coalfields
who are fighting for their homes and families.

Some of these women have been part of outreach tours around the nation
with Appalachian Voices and Dave Cooper, so maybe you'll see a familiar
face. Be sure to pick up a copy soon! You don't want to miss this
amazing article.

Additionally, in the past week both the Presbyterian Church USA and the
Unitarian Universalist Association passed resolutions at their national
general assemblies expressing their opposition to mountaintop removal.
A copy of the press release is below, as well as links to the text of
the two resolutions.

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If you haven't already written a letter to your representative urging
them to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (HR 2719), please
write one today! To find out if your representative has co-sponsored the
Clean Water Protection Act (HR 2719), click
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=84766967&u=779913:HR02719:@@@P.
If your representative is not on the list, please write them a letter
to the field office.

Visit
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=84766967&u=779914 for
important points to include in your letter.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Lenny Kohm at Appalachian Voices (828) 262-1500

June 29, 2006

Two Major National Religious Denominations Pass Resolutions Against
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Within a week of one another, two major national faith groups passed
resolutions at their general assemblies opposing the widespread practice
of mountaintop removal coal mining in central Appalachia. Mountaintop
removal involves blasting off the top of mountains and dumping the waste
into valleys below in order to access multiple seams of coal.

One resolution, passed on June 22 in Birmingham, Alabama by the
Presbyterian Church/USA stated that, "Mountaintop removal coal mining
contributes to a cycle of poverty that has created high unemployment, high
illiteracy rates, record numbers of school closings and a lack of
opportunity in areas where coal is produced." The Presbyterian Church/USA has
over 2.5 million members nationwide.

The effort to pass the resolution was spearheaded by West Virginia
native Melissa Gee. "Someone once told me that Presbyterians don't go
alone. I now realize the similarity of that belief to the way I was raised
in West Virginia. The need for this resolution was clear; the people of
our nation's coalfields should not be sent out alone in the fight to
protect their homes and families," commented Gee.

The resolution cited a decreasing quality of life for nearby families
and communities due to flooding, blasting, dust and fallen rock, loss of
home and property, and destruction of "both the beauty and productive
capacity of the land" caused by mountaintop removal as a basis for their
opposition. The resolution passed almost unanimously.

On June 26 the Unitarian Universalist Association, representing more
than 1000 congregations nationwide, passed an action of immediate witness
concerning mountaintop removal at their general assembly in St. Louis,
Missouri. The action stated that the "Passage of H.R. 2719, the Clean
Water Protection Act, would amend the Clean Water Act to eliminate
mountaintop removal coal mining because coal companies would no longer be
permitted to dump waste into nearby streams and valleys."

Sarah Berel- Harrop, the sponsor of the resolution, said, "I was
overwhelmed with the support from delegates around the country. I am hopeful
that this action of immediate witness will spur members from their
congregations to learn more about and become active on this issue."

The two denominations have now joined several other national faith
groups who have outwardly expressed their opposition to mountaintop
removal, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal
Church, the United Methodist Church and the Catholic Conference of
Kentucky.

Link to full text of Presbyterian Church/USA's Resolution:
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=84766967&u=779915
Link to full text of Unitarian Universalist Association's Action of
Immediate Witness:
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=84766967&u=779916

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Appalachian Voices brings people together to solve the environmental
problems having the greatest impact on the central and southern
Appalachian Mountains. We are a member-based organization with over 1,500
members, including hundreds of small, locally owned businesses from across
Appalachia. Joining with other concerned citizens of this region is the
most effective way to make your voice heard and to protect the natural
and cultural heritage of southern Appalachia.

Please join Appalachian
Voices today, visit
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=84766967&u=779917 or
call toll free 877-APP-VOICE.

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tags for this post - mountaintop removal, mountain range removal, mining, coal, Appalachia