Through the lens (Coal and Our Future)

Chuck Clegg
It is my hope that over the last couple of months my stories on coal, steel and the manufacture of coke have given you something to think about. I will admit I learned some important realities while researching the facts of the story. The thing I came away with, the questions are not black and white. And having said that, answers will still have to be found, no matter what your views.
First and foremost I believe if we set aside political agendas, environmental bantering and debating whether global warming is real, we could move the conversation forward. If each of us decided to give the other side a chance to speak, and really listen. And if when either side speaks, talk about facts and not using their moment in the sun to promote their agenda, we would all be better off. And that word agenda, that’s a big word with a lot of content. In my thinking, if you have an agenda, you have a preconceived belief that you are correct. That is human nature. And heaven knows, on occasions I have had a preconceived notion on a subject. And even if I were proven to be wrong, I would not concede that I was, just misunderstood. Just ask Mary.
Our country for the next couple of hundred years will be extracting coal from the earth’s reserves. There is no scientific evidence of when exactly that moment will come, but it will and the last mine will close. And I bet there will still be a couple guys debating global warming. In no frame of science will there ever be another ton of coal created in mankind’s time on this earth. It has been over seventy-five million years since that first tree fell into a swamp bog and began the process of breaking down and forming a coal vane. And no, there was no one in the forest to hear it fall.
While we argue the use of coal and its future, the clock of coal’s time table is passing by. Just think, only five-hundred and thirty years have passed since Christopher Columbus crossed the ocean in search of the Americas. Sometime after that, settlers began arriving with green cards and passport’s in hand to claim the land and all that was under it. Five-hundred and thirty years in earth history, in less than a moment. And in mankind’s time table in the Americas, not so long. Then compare that time to an estimated two to three hundred years of coal that is left. It is scary if you think about it too long. Fortunately for us, I never think about anything for very long. In all likelihood, our distant relatives will see that day when billions of tons of coal that have powered the world for the betterment of mankind will come to an end.
The issues we face with coal were present long before America was America. Long ago back in the British Isles history, coal played a large part in heating. In the year 1264, the country’s leaders were summoned to London to form the first Parliament to govern the growing kingdom with laws. The very first law the new parliament placed on the books, restricting the burning of coal. Most of the lords and knights came from the country side with open fields and meadows. They heated with wood gathered from nearby forests. But in London, fire wood obtained from forest had been burned long ago. Coal on the other hand was cheap and plentiful and dirty when burnt. When the lord’s entered the city they were not use to the big city pollution. Close streets and buildings prevented air movement. Smoke settled and lingered for days. Streets were filled with the brown smoke and eye burning acidy emissions. The lords planned to change all that. Did the new laws work, no. People largely ignored the new government’s rules and told them to stay out of their business. Sound familiar. Eventually things got so bad the people could no longer tolerate the coal smoke and odor and changes began.
Six hundred and eighty two years later, the city of London took the first steps towards the ways of the future when it began operations of the first coal fired power plant, The Edison Electric Light Station.
So you see, the issues we face today with coal have been around for a very long time. Each of us has to listen to the other side’s words, while finding difficult answers. If we spent as much on coal research as we have over litigating, Iám betting we would be closer to solving the problem. And maybe, if each of us took a moment to remember the thousands of miners who have died bringing coal to the surface to light our world, then maybe we would understand the heavy price that has already been paid while we argue over the question of coal.
Recently I visited my long ago home town of Lansing, Ohio. I took a moment and stood watching as the stream passed. I remembered how differently the water looked sixty-five years ago. A lot has changed, including me. My ignorance in not knowing the creek should not have been yellowish brown has been replaced with a since of joy, at seeing the beauty of a flowing creek with green trees along side. Mother Nature did not turn her back on her creek, she just set about the task of regrowth. I’ll bet she hopes mankind can also find ways to fix what it has done to itself.
My story was to inform you of the facts and realities that face coal and mankind. In the process I found very quickly the problem was in talking about coal. Did I just say, “Talking About Coal.” Yes. Coal companies would not return my inquiries. The West Virginia Coal Association would not return my calls, emails and a letter sent through the mail. Governor Justice did not respond to my calls after repeated tries. I believed he has some very important foresight into coal and its future. After all, he owns several mines. Senator Manchin’s office passed me from assistant to assistant until the last one explained the Senator had posted a statement concerning coal and the tragedy that took place in his home town. People who worked in the mining industry disappeared without a trace when I showed up asking questions. I don’t know if they were afraid of me or their company’s knowing they had spoken with me. I even promised one guy he would not burst into flames, if he shook my hand. He did not shake my hand. Only one man gave his time and knowledge of today’s coal industry to help me understand how mining has changed.
If this is the way government and industry are approaching problems with coal and the environment, we are in real problems. Answers need to be found, for not only our times, but those who will come in the future when coal is no longer available.
Recently I was reminded of the darkness within a coal mine. A lady who once worked at #4, Jo Delancey Scott told of the time she was given a look inside the mine. The purpose was to give her a better understanding of its operation. Of everything she saw and experienced that day, the most profound thing she brought away from the experience, was the all-consuming darkness. She was asked if she wanted to experience the mine without light. Answering yes, she turned off her head lamp. Darkness that went beyond the things we see with our eyes fill the void where light gave her reality. But darkness down there goes inside those who work deep underground. Even when they return to the world of light, a bit of the darkness comes with them. It seems the government and mining industry has turned off their lights and can only see the darkness of their self-imposed reality. I hope you have enjoyed this series as much as I have writing it. And as a bit of light about future columns, I am beginning to research the oil and gas industry.
The country’s miners have for over 150 years risked their lives deep underground to bring light and heat to our world. Each knew within a few moments of being underground, the darkness. Not the darkness around them, but the darkness within. It takes a great deal of courage to go far from the light to extract coal. I have the greatest respect for the men and women who brave the underground to power our world. Politicians and environmentalists debate and argue, but I wonder if they ever remember those who work in the world below their feet. Maybe if we took the two sides deep inside the mine and told them they could not come out, until they begun to work together, well I still don’t think it would help.
The next time you meet up with a miner, (you can tell by the darkness in their eyes), tell them thanks for the light in the world they help to bring, as we all look Through the Lens.