Wind or Mountaintop Removal?: Study Shows West Virginia Mountain Could be
Permanent Power Source for 150,000 Homes
Unlike "One Shot" Despoiling of Mountain by Mountaintop Removal Mining,
Utility-Scale Wind Farm Would Generate Ongoing Supply of Energy, Jobs and
Taxes.
WHITESVILLE, W.Va., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Should Coal River
Mountain -- which stands as one of the last mountains still intact in the
beautiful Coal River Valley of West Virginia -- vanish as the result of 6,600
acres of strip mining and 18 valley fills that would increase the flooding of
residents along the Clear Fork River? Or, should the site be devoted to
developing large-scale wind power that would generate enough clean energy to
keep the lights on in 150,000 homes while preserving the mountain for future
economic and community use?
Massey Energy is seeking to use controversial mountaintop removal mining
methods to destroy nearly 10 square miles of Coal River Mountain for the "one
shot" removal of coal from the site. However, a new study based on the use of
a wind speed model provided by national wind development modeling firm,
WindLogics, and conducted by members of Appalachian Voices and Coal River
Mountain Watch -- outlines a strong new alternative in a 440-megawatt wind
farm. The proposed wind farm would preserve Coal River Mountain while
providing energy and much needed jobs for the Coal River Valley communities,
forever.
The WindLogics study conducted for the Coal River Mountain Project
(http://www.coalriverwind.org) shows that Coal River Mountain is ideal for
utility-scale wind. "Coal River Mountain can accommodate 220 two-megawatt wind
turbines -- enough energy to power over 150,000 homes," says Rory McIlmoil,
campaign coordinator for the wind project. "You can't put wind power on a
strip mine, because the wind patterns are impacted, and the land is rendered
unstable for supporting wind-turbines."
"We're optimistic about the potential for local leaders to support this
project and put Raleigh County on the map. This would be the biggest wind farm
proposed on the East Coast, and could provide a model for other counties in
West Virginia looking for affordable, clean energy and safe, healthy jobs in
their own communities," said Matt Noerpel of Coal River Mountain Watch.
Permit data shows that the mountaintop removal operation will only provide
jobs and energy for 14 years, and will eliminate any potential for alternative
economic development, such as wind energy. A wind farm, by comparison, would
allow for other uses of the land that would benefit the local communities,
like sustainable forestry, tourism, and the harvesting of ginseng and other
wild plants.
"I live in the west end of the county, which has been heavily impacted by
coal mining," said Lorelei Scarbro of Rock Creek. "Our concern today is our
homes, our environment and the sustainability of the environment. The house I
live in and raised my children in, which my husband built and he is buried in
the family cemetery next door, would be in danger from this mine. The wind
farm would preserve the mountain."
"Economic development is of the utmost importance, but concern for the well
being of citizens is a priority. This wind farm could save local communities,
people's lives, and our way of life, while also bringing new economic
development to the area. This idea is an excellent alternative, and maybe the
only alternative for our lands which are being permanently destroyed," said
local resident and former coal miner Chuck Nelson.
The proposed wind farm would generate over $20 million per year in direct
local spending during construction and $2 million per year during the
operational period. It would create 200-plus construction related jobs over
the first two years, and 40-50 permanent on-site operation and maintenance
jobs that would last as long as the wind farm exists. The project would also
provide a minimum of $400,000 in State Tax Revenues, and between $750,000 and
$3,000,000 in County Tax Revenues annually. Also, this wind farm could
potentially provide the city of Beckley and the whole of Raleigh County with
clean wind energy.
McIlmoil said: "The national conversation on energy and global warming makes
it clear that America needs to start investing heavily in renewable energy, as
well as get ourselves off foreign sources of energy. Carbon taxes could make
coal more expensive in coming years, and West Virginia needs prepare itself by
developing innovative, affordable, new sources of domestic energy before that
happens."
For information on the Coal River Mountain Wind study, visit
http://www.coalriverwind.org. Additional resources are available under the
"Resources" tab and throughout the website.
ABOUT COAL RIVER WIND PROJECT
The Coal River Wind Project is a joint effort between Coal River Mountain
Watch, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Appalachian Voices and the
Student Environmental Action Coalition. Coal River Mountain Watch has been
working for community preservation in the Coal River Valley for over 10 years.
CONTACTS: Ailis Aaron Wolf, (703) 276-3265, or aawolf@hastingsgroup.com; Rory
McIlmoil, (304) 854-2182 or rory@coalriverwind.org; and Lorelei Scarbro, (304)
854-2182 or lorelei@crmw.net.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Maps and other details about the proposed Coal River Mountain
wind farm are available at http://www.coalriverwind.org/?page_id=9.
SOURCE Coal River Mountain Wind Project, Whitesville, WV; Co-op America,
Washington, DC
Ailis Aaron Wolf, +1-703-276-3265, aawolf@hastingsgroup.com, for Coal River
Mountain Wind Project, Whitesville, WV; Co-op America, Washington, DC; Rory
McIlmoil, +1-304-854-2182, rory@coalriverwind.org or Lorelei Scarbro,
+1-304-854-2182, lorelei@crmw.net, both of Coal River Mountain Wind Project,
Whitesville, WV; Co-op America, Washington, DC
