



Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in a passionate appeal for American energy independence, proudly proclaimed “I like coal” during the October 4 Presidential debate, advancing his unique and much touted job-creation plan — linking employment opportunity in Appalachia to leukemia, heart disease, cancer clusters, and low birth rate.

“I like coal,” said the former Massachusetts governor, who then went on to deride President Obama for his support, in contrast, for wind, solar, and other ‘green energy’ investments.

Indeed — what’s NOT to like about coal? Coal is linked to:

Romney’s pro-coal comments were expected to boost support for his campaign in Appalachia, where some of the community benefits of the coal industry have been documented in recent medical journals:

“Coal mining in West Virginia was significantly associated with higher cancer mortality…. Analyses also revealed cancer clusters that corresponded to areas of high coal mining intensity.”

“Mortality rates in Appalachian counties with high levels of coal mining were significantly higher relative to non-mining areas for chronic heart, respiratory and kidney disease.”

“Living in areas with high levels of coal mining elevates the odds of a low-birth-weight infant by 16%… the persistence of a mining effect on low-birth-weight outcomes suggests an environmental effect resulting from pollution from mining activities“

In addition to job creation and chronic organ damage, coal is also major contributor to greenhouse-gas-induced climate change. It accounts for roughly 1/5 of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the industry’s current rush to export it for energy-hungry markets (especially India and China) have “profound implications” for carbon emissions.







BACKGROUND — Mitt Romney and “I like Coal”:

So — Mr. Romney is quite clear: he likes coal.

Does he, however, like…. people?

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