West Virginia, and its five electoral votes, went with Bush in 2000 by a surprisingly strong 6.3% margin. Yet, despite its cultural conservatism, Bush appears to be slipping badly in popularity in the state and one recent poll showed him tied with Kerry at 46% in a general election match-up.
If you’re wondering why, look no further than an emotional hearing held yesterday at the Interior Department.
Currently, there are “buffer-zone” regulations to protect waterways from the devastating pollution associated with coal mining. The Bush administration, however, has received generous campaign contributions from the industry and — surprise, surprise — wants to make these regulations far less onerous on the industry.
In West Virginia, that means destroyed mountain ranges, polluted streams, and flooded communities. Needless to say, a lot of families are not happy about it.
Testifying at an Interior Department hearing on the proposal, Mary Miller of Sylvester, W.Va., said the value of her home had dropped from $144,000 to below $12,000. Residents in her coalfield town won economic damages last month suing a mining company over coal dust covering their homes, vehicles and other property.
“I’m out here now trying to save my home,” said Miller. “I don’t have much left anyway. I don’t have many years left. But I’m thinking about the water shortage for my children.”
The department in January proposed easing a 1983 rule that set limits on coal mining near streams. Current policy says land within 100 feet of a stream cannot be disturbed by mining unless a company can prove it will not affect the water’s quality and quantity.
The new rule would require coal operators to minimize only “to the extent possible” any damage to streams, fish and wildlife by “using the best technology currently available.”
One after another, local residents implored Interior Department officials not to ease the regulations. Opposition, however, was not unanimous.
A lawyer for the National Mining Association was the only one to praise it.
“Our preference is that the rule be deleted entirely,” said Bradford Frisby, the trade group’s associate general counsel. “There are other regulations that protect streams.”
I know I shouldn’t see everything in a political context, but there are a whole lot of families in West Virginia who are furious about this. Bush will probably run a ridiculous ad later this year telling voters that John Kerry wants to “take away their guns,” but that may not be enough to help him this time.