Pat Dollard

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For generations the coal industry in this country, particularly in the North East, has fueled our industry and growth of being the most powerful nation in the world.

These miners are a breed apart from people such as Obama and Biden, who never dug into the bowels of the Earth and brought out the energy to light, heat, and run this country.

We NEVER think about these folks until we hear of a horrific mine collapse.

Then there are those who jump on the bandwagon of we should shutdown all coal mining. But I only grow my admiration and gratitude for these people, some who have generations in the mines, who brave that deep, dark environment filled with dust that coats the lungs and chokes the life expectancy.

But THIS is their livelihood. This is their job, their income.

And here are two men that seek to snuff out their existence in this country’s energy independence.

OBAMA REMARKS MAKE IT CLEAR:
Obama ticket not supportive of coal

(Ohio Coal Association)

COLUMBUS, November 3, 2008: Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association (OCA) today issued the following statement in response to just-released remarks from Senator Barack Obama about the nation’s coal industry.

“Regardless of the timing or method of the release of these remarks, the message from the Democratic candidate for President could not be clearer: the Obama-Biden ticket spells disaster for America’s coal industry and the tens of thousands of Americans who work in it.

“These undisputed, audio-taped remarks, which include comments from Senator Obama like ‘I haven’t been some coal booster’ and ‘if they want to build [coal plants], they can, but it will bankrupt them’ are extraordinarily misguided.

“It’s evident that this campaign has been pandering in states like Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania to attempt to generate votes from coal supporters, while keeping his true agenda hidden from the state’s voters.

“Senator Obama has revealed himself to be nothing more than a short-sighted, inexperienced politician willing to say anything to get a vote. But today, the nation’s coal industry and those who support it have a better understanding of his true mission, to ‘bankrupt’ our industry, put tens of thousands out of work and cause unprecedented increases in electricity prices.

“In addition to providing an affordable, reliable source of low-cost electricity, domestic coal holds the key to our nation’s long-term energy security – a goal that cannot be overlooked during this time of international instability and economic uncertainty.

“Few policy areas are more important to our economic future than energy issues. As voters head to the polls tomorrow, it is essential they remember that access to reliable, affordable, domestic energy supplies is essential to economic growth and stability.”

The Ohio Coal Association is a trade association dedicated to representing Ohio’s coal industry. As a united front, the Association is committed to advancing the development and utilization of Ohio coal as an abundant, economic and environmentally sound energy source.