10/21/2002 

Miner monument, coal trucks topics amid interims

by Lawrence Messina, Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ Though it was not on the official agenda, the issue of coal arose Monday amid legislative interim meetings at the Capitol.

Several dozen environmentalists presented a letter to Gov. Bob Wise urging changes to the Capitol Complex monument now being built to honor coal miners.

A separate group, meanwhile, held a news conference to drum up support for increased weight limits for coal trucks.

A coalition of environmental groups object to bronze plaques planned for the black granite base of the miner statue.

A plaque slated for the unfinished monument would herald the "low-cost household and industrial energy" provided by coal mining.

"The original intent of the Legislature to honor miners who have lost their lives in the quest for coal appears long forgotten," the letter said.

Three plaques already installed depict the mechanization of coal mining, blamed for massive loss of miner's jobs over the last 50 years. One depicts the lawsuit-inspiring mountaintop removal method of mining.

"This monument has been co-opted by the Coal Association," said Vivian Stockman of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition during a brief rally at the site. "We want their (public relations) off of this."

Also Monday, a dozen women with ties to the coal hauling industry expressed support for increase truck weight limits.

One, driver Beverly Gillman of Logan County, said she has always hauled more coal than legally allowed but has never been cited. Sonya Cooper, who once owned a Raleigh County trucking outfit, said state regulators have reneged on past oral agreements to allow overweight trucks.

The group presented accident figures to allege that overweight trucks do not cause crashes at the rate and severity alleged by weight increase opponents.

"If you're struck by something that heavy, 80,000 pounds is no more or less lethal than 120,000 pounds," said Beth Dingess, the Logan County wife of a coal hauler, contrasting the current and proposed weight limits.

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