June 18, 2008 07:45 pm
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I regret that Mr. Stroud from Williamsburg is opposed to wind turbines because they will destroy bats and birds, but does not shed a tear for people living with the effects of mountaintop removal.
Mountaintop removal mining makes moonscapes out of mountains, buries pristine streams under tons of rubble, contaminates drinking water, destroys wells, damages houses, pollutes the air, creates severe flooding, demolishes one of the worlds most diverse temperate forests and wildlife habitats, destroys our rich mountain culture and heritage and permanently destroys communities in the southern coalfields of West Virginia.
We already look like War of the Worlds and have already suffered loss of property values, loss of wildlife, aesthetic degradation and loss of serenity. Would you like to sit on our front porch to watch this devastation? Neither do we!
Your statement about wind energy is incorrect. Coal River Mountain is the highest remaining peak in the Coal River Valley, and is the heart of the Coal River watershed. It is also endangered. Along with residents of Marsh Fork, Clear Fork and other parts of Raleigh County, we worked with a group of environmental and community groups to commission a study of the wind potential on Coal River Mountain. The study showed that Coal River Mountain has enough wind potential to power over 150,000 homes.
The study also showed that the project would create over 200 local job opportunities during the two years of construction, as well as 40 to 50 permanent direct jobs. During the two years of construction we expect that the project would generate over $20 million annually and approximately $2 million annually during the operation phase of the wind farm. Finally, the wind project will also contribute $750,000 in property taxes for Raleigh County.
We will gladly trade you mountaintop removal mining for your proposed wind farm.
Janice A. Nease
Co-Director
Coal River Mountain Watch Whitesville
My family and I love to spend Friday nights at the Beckley Speedway. It is great family entertainment and we believe BPFD is doing a great job.
Although due to rain, only three race nights have been completed, it has already been a long season. Each week we find the races are beginning later and later. Last night (June 6), it was nearly 9 p.m. before the hot laps got started and the regular start time would be anywhere from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Due to our schedules on Saturday, we can’t stay late and noticed more fans leaving earlier this week.
We feel this is unfair to the race fans. We ask BPFD if there is anyway to get back on track with the time schedule, so we can once again enjoy those family Friday nights.
Linda Dickens
Beckley
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