OVEC, Other Activists Do
Double Duty in Foggy Bottom

In April, OVEC organized a group of about 30 coalfield residents and activists to travel to Washington, DC, to help Coal River Mountain Watch’s Judy Bonds celebrate winning the 2003 Goldman Environmental Prize for North America. (Thanks, Dave Cooper!)

Many an eye moistened during the moving ceremony, held at the National Geographic Society’s Auditorium.  We are so proud of you, Judy!

True to form, we multi-tasking activists couldn’t resist a visit to the offices of West Virginia Senators Byrd and Rockefeller since we were already in the neighborhood.

We thanked Sen. Byrd for publicly stating that the National Academy of Sciences recommendations on coal sludge impoundments should be implemented.

Those recommendations include identifying alternatives to coal sludge impoundments and ways to reduce completely eliminate the "need" for these impoundments.

We also voiced our concerns over the severe mountaintop removal-related flooding of the coalfields. 

A few folks also visited some House Republicans who are likely to support the Clean Water Protection Act of 2003, a bipartisan bill that would stop coal companies from dumping our former mountains into our streams.

The bill would also prevent industries from dumping all manner of wastes into our nation’s waters.

Paul and Nanette Nelson of Coal River Mountain Watch speak to one of Senator Byrd's aides (off camera at right) about the dangers of coal sludge impoundments. OVEC organized a trip to Washington, DC, to support Judy Bonds as she received the Goldman Prize. About 30 people carpooled. We also made arrangements to meet with Sen. Byrd's office to to talk about coal sludge impoundments, since in January Sen. Byrd publicly emphasized that much better regulation of these impoundments is needed. Our group met with an aide for Sen. Rockefeller as well. And we had a whole lot of fun!!!