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Don’t disparage coal on website

2 min read

As the 62nd Annual Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Show gets under way in Carmichaels, I am compelled to respond to the online comments that followed the Aug. 4 article, “Events schedule announced for upcoming King Coal Show.”

Whether those who posted comments I found to be offensive to the event planners and to the industry are ignorant of the facts, gratified by the process of anonymous posting, or both, is subject to speculation. However, the insensitivity to those who have toiled in the coal mines, both today and in the past, should not go unchallenged.

Coal has long been the largest source of electric power generation in our country. And yes, coal might be outpaced by natural gas if changes in federal environmental regulations stand and natural gas production continues to increase. We know firsthand of the tragic consequences of the decisions of regional companies to reduce and eliminate their workforce and employee benefits amid market fluctuations and impending federal regulations. Coal mining, like any industry, has always faced challenges and encountered some degree of risk.

However, the Coal Show, I hope, will always remain a celebration of coal’s past, present, and future, recognizing the history and importance of this invaluable natural resource in our area and paying homage to generations of workers who helped build our country while providing for their families.

As daughter and granddaughter of coal miners, I offer my sincere thanks to the King Coal Association and the community for keeping the bituminous coal industry alive. Coal enabled us to win major wars abroad, while providing the energy to keep the home fires burning. Coal continues to feed our families and provide our health care and education, and, because of coal, we have been able to afford to stay warm in the winter. To those of you wondering, “Why do they continue to celebrate something that doesn’t exist?” and wishing they would “give it up already,” I suggest you stay inside and avoid the “Coal Built America”-themed parade on Saturday, but that you think about what is powering the inexpensive electricity to the computer screen at which you will be staring while we enjoy the festivities in honor of our proud heritage.

Sharon Willison

Rices Landing

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