Rand Paul: “Rebrand” Mountaintop Removal, Mine Industry Deserves to not be Regulated

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/08/rand-paul-government-should-no.htmlPaul also said that the practice of mountaintop removal mining simply needs to be rebranded.

“I think they should name it something better,” he says. “The top ends up flatter, but we’re not talking about Mount Everest. We’re talking about these little knobby hills that are everywhere out here. And I’ve seen the reclaimed lands. One of them is 800 acres, with a sports complex on it, elk roaming, covered in grass.” Most people, he continues, “would say the land is of enhanced value, because now you can build on it.”

Rand Paul, I contend. Mountaintop Removal is what it is.

And if you just refer to the evnrionment as “these little knobby hills that are everywhere out here”, and dismiss reclamation for valuing land as enhanced “because now you can build on it”, simply shows points to the contrary that you care about the development and preservationof the Environment.

The Problem with no regulation, is that corporations can appeal to environmental projects, making it look like they are “keeping up with the green precident”, when, like in the case of BP, they are not. Its a dream, Libertarians, if you say that corporations will regulate themselves wholly based on the appeal of the consumer.

Coal Regulation: A deeper look

Prosperity is nice. But with statistics pointing towards just the opposite in the Appalachian Region [see my “What Coal Provides (Or Doesnt)” page.], I’m sure regulation that can only help protect our stable and diverse environment is well needed.

Coal Companies simply want to expand to reap the $$$. They expand without considering how their expansion may affect the future, rather looking at the present.

The present example- Friends of Coal calling out in action due to the EPA’s revoking of a permit, as well as new EPA regulations that have long been anticipated by those against reckless coal (one being a requirement of plastic-lined retaining ponds.)

If Coal does not want to be responsible, meet new regulations and regulations that have existed, then it is truly incorrigible from it’s old days. Progress is a must with environmental care and understanding.