2009 Goldman Prize for North America

[Bdasef]

It's not the coal miners that are causing the "undoing" damage to the mountains, it's the big coal companies using these methods of mountain top removal. Yes, my power company uses coal for our energy. It's about SAFE COAL MINING that ensures coal miners SAFETY, spending money in THERE where it's NECESSARY - putting safety measures in place where they've FAILED & Ensuring JOBS - MTR threatens true coal miners jobs & the health of all mountain residents. I respect the true coal miners 100%.

[zelphia1]

Hey look up uses for coal you idiots!!! And tell me that you all don't uses 90% of the stuff that coal is used to produce. Such as Streets, Plastic Bottles and of course lights !!! I am from PIke County Kentucky and it a place were our men dig in the mines. But around here we have a large respect for those men. THey break their backs everyday!!! And we will fight to keep our coal!!!!

[haloaded247]

@zelphia1 I know what you mean about respect. But the sad truth is that the working man is not working for what he did 20 years ago. Coal makes up 52% of this nations energy.......but what they don't tell you is that almost 73% of that 52% comes from china. So in reality AMERICAN coal only makes up about 15% of this nations energy. We send our sending our high quality coal to China to pay our outstanding debt to them, and they ship us their lower quality coal in return. Way of the world

[ownerofyourblackass]

look at the crooked blankenship and wv. justices that were BOUGHT to keep RAPING the people of wv .. deep mining would COMPLETELY support our countries needs,, MTR is what supplies the coal mine OWNERS needs... bush screwed this country as gov. of texas with the S&L scandles of the 80's-- then these stupid people voted him in office to FINISH the job in 2000... he appointed a CROOK TO THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERRIDE AND START MTR AGAIN...lobbied by tons of coal lobbyists..thank you - you bastards

[ownerofyourblackass]

well, coal is shit.!! is isn't needed in reality as their are, and always have been other forms of energy.. nuclear is a very safe and potent energy IF handled properly. BUT the goddamn goverment sees to it that it is keep down for it doesn't pay the crooked politicians in a way they can hide it... reseach this and you will discover that coal in wv is almost COMPLETELY exported out of this country... that crooked gov. has sided with massey to sell to china....most mines are out of state owned...

[SustainableSchmidt]

I hope people read the comment from "thecoalclub" and use it to understand the threats Maria must be under - she is a great american, and because of that these people call her a terrorist. Well I guess that makes me one too. Wake up America, the real threats to our country are people like thecoalclub.

[ownerofyourblackass]

to the coalclub assholes........ your a bunch of lying uninformed pricks or just covering your asses..... we all KNOW the TRUE history and statistics on this mtr......

[thecoalclub]

Ms. Gunnoe, I don't know who you are kidding. I want you to realize that West Virginia recieved over $400,000,000 in 2007 for severance tax monies. What would you do without this money going to the government to pay for your bills? Coal has to be a part of West Virginia and America's Future. You are a terrorist to the rest of us that live in any coal state. I would say I am not protesting your job, but you don't have one. UG Mining is what causes bad water. MTR only moves the rock.

[iLoveMountainsOrg]

Great work. We love you Maria!

[n9387d]

Great work by a courageous citizen.

Stopping mountain top removal is a David v. Goliath struggle. Victories are hard to come by.

[bennyspider1]

Congrats Maria

[mountainjustice]

Thanks to the Goldman Foundation for their continued interest and support of coalfield activist fighting mt top removal. Congratulations Maria on a well-deserved honor

[SustainableSchmidt]

Inspiring - we need more citizens like Maria Gunnoe