Reasonable voices in mountains think clean water is a good idea

The Appalachian News-Express has taken a courageous stand in support of clean water and coal company accountability with its support for the Stream Saver Bill.

Seeing through all the misinformation spread by the industry, the Pike County newspaper explained in an March 9 editorial:

This bill would simply say coal companies, after mining, can't dump the dirt and rock left over into the nearest valley, thereby polluting local water sources and contaminating the water table.

For us at the News-Express, that's a tough thing to argue with.

We understand that coal companies say this would cost them money. But the larger coal companies post enormous profits, so we think they can afford to spend a little more money to do things the right way. If it hurts smaller coal companies, we're sorry, but it's still the right thing to do.

And honestly, can you put a price on people's safety? The residents of Eastern Kentucky have a right to clean, safe drinking water, and coal companies have an obligation to do their part to make it happen.

Read the entire editorial here.