Coal mine bad for neighbors

To the editor:

As a physician who lives in the Buffalo Mine Road area, I feel obliged to respond to Kay Slack’s opinion about the Wishbone Hill Coal mine. She makes a valid point that compared to other mining companies, Usibelli has had minimal violations (but not zero). However, this article fails to mention that Usibelli is currently in court with the EPA for violating its waste discharge permit at its Healy site.

The statement “coal extraction does not release toxic chemicals” is totally false. Black lung disease is a well-known untreatable destruction of the lungs from inhaling coal dust during mining. There is now extensive medical research in West Virginia proving that living near a mine alone (one doesn’t have to be a miner) leads to higher rates of heart, lung and kidney diseases, and increased illnesses and hospitalization for the local population when compared to similar communities.

According to the state Division of Natural Resources, Usibelli is allowed to do its own water and air-quality testing. This is a conflict of interest and means that the data on water and air quality they are presumed to be studying currently for re-permitting will be presented in Usibelli’s favor and not necessarily accurately. The current permitting process is not looking out for the average citizen’s welfare.

This coal will not help Alaskans’ electricity bills or taxes. As noted, this coal is destined for Asia. The tax revenue for the Mat-Su Borough on coal is minuscule and will not even cover the expenses that the damage of the 200 coal trucks per day through Palmer and Wasilla will have on our roads. Valley residents, are you ready for 200 double-trailer coal trucks driving through town and down Knik-Goose Bay Road daily and all the noise, dust, traffic congestion, driving hazards and road damage you will suffer in exchange for a few jobs and high profits for the Usibellis?

I am very concerned about how this coal mine will affect the health and welfare of my family and my neighbors, damage our water supply, destroy the recently restored salmon of Moose Creek and destroy our currently great quality of life.

Finally, there is extensive coal throughout Alaska, so there is no valid reason for Usibelli to put an open pit coal mine in an existing neighborhood. This shows no regard for their fellow Alaskans, placing profit over health, and violates the most basic idea of common sense.

Michele Prevost

Palmer