The View from Coal Country in the Age of Green
Series: QUEST: Coal at the Crossroads
From: KQED
Length: 00:04:10
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Coal produces nearly half the electricity in the U.S., but the mercury, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide it emits also make it one of the most controversial energy sources. New EPA regulations and a national Sierra Club campaign to try to shutter the industry have added to rising anti-coal sentiment. For many environmental activists, coal represents an old, dirty source of power, but for coal-mining communities around the country, the story is different. Carolyn Beeler of WHYY reports for our special radio series, Coal at the Crossroads.
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Broadcast History
Aired locally on WHYY week of Sept 26-30, 2011.
Series aired locally on NET week of Sept 26-30, 2011.
Series aired locally on WCPN week of Oct 3-7, 2011.
Transcript
Greene County is filled with rolling green hills and is bordered on two sides by West Virginia. Here, coal still reigns. Literally.
ANNOUNCER: “I’d like to welcome everyone to the 58th annual Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal show, and tonight’s Coal Queen pageant.”
A local high school auditorium is packed on a stormy Sunday evening for the crowning of the Coal Queen. (audience ambi running under)
ANNOUNCER: “Candidate number six:” (applause)
The evening-gown clad high school students tout their coal mining pedigrees along with their volunteer work and grades.
GIRL: “Good evening, my name is Alexis Zawelensky and I’m proud to be a coal miner’s daughter as well as your Lower Highlands senior representative.”
One in five jobs in Greene County is in mining, and a third of the county’s general fund comes from taxes on coal. It has been a major industry here for generations, which me...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Coal produces more electricity in the U.S. than any other source but the mercury, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide it emits also make it one of the most controversial. New EPA regulations and a national Sierra Club campaign, to try to shutter the industry, have only added to rising anti-coal sentiment. But how do coal miners and the companies who employ them feel? Carolyn Beeler visited a major mining town in southwestern Pennsylvania.
OUTRO:Listen to other Coal at the Crossroads radio stories on our website.
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