Available online
Description
The coal companies in Appalachia have been accused of economic imperialism. They've extracted coal from the area, siphoned the profits off to the out-of-state owners, created social costs like envi...ronmental destruction, contributed to local poverty and returned little of enduring value to the region. This is the traditional view but how true is it today? Do coal companies fail to cover the social costs of mining? Do they still exercise undue political influence in the area? In this programme Chris Hamnett, Lecturer in Geography at The Open University, examines the power of the coal companies in Southern West Virginia.
The coal companies in Appalachia have been accused of economic imperialism. They've extracted coal from the area, siphoned the profits off to the out-of-state owners, created social costs like envi...ronmental destruction, contributed to local poverty and returned little of enduring value to the region. This is the traditional view but how true is it today? Do coal companies fail to cover the social costs of mining? Do they still exercise undue political influence in the area? In this programme Chris Hamnett, Lecturer in Geography at The Open University, examines the power of the coal companies in Southern West Virginia.
| Module code and title: | D204, Fundamentals of human geography |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D204; 13 |
| First transmission date: | 24-05-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nigel Houghton |
| Contributors: | Chris Hamnett; Warren McGraw; Arch Moore; Gil Fredericks; Ben Lusk; Paul Kaufman |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Coal mining; Environmental pollution; Human geography; West Virginia |
| Footage description: | Chris Hamnett introduces the programme. A map showing distribution of U.S. coal fields. Strip mining in West Virginia. Aerial views of forest land. Strip mining in progress. Warren McGraw, State Senator, West Virginia, discusses the serious ecological consequences of strip mining in his community. Digger at work on hillside. Gil Fredericks, President, Capital Fuels Inc., describes his company's reclamation programme. Diggers and reclamation vehicles at work. Fredericks discusses the state's legislation on reclamation. Bulldozer at work. Ben Lusk, President of West Virginia Surface Mining and Reclamation Association, describes how industry has responded to legislation. Fredericks comments that prior to 1971 it was not economical to reclaim the land. Aerial views of strip mining and the damage to the countryside. Warren McGraw argues that reclamation will not prevent washouts and land slides. The process of strip mining benefits the owners, not the people who live in the area. Economics cannot justify the destruction of the environment. Aerial views of derelict areas and land. McGraw describes an example of how mining companies have not borne the full cost of their operations. Paul Kaufman, lawyer, explains how coal mining owners have protected their own interests through state legislation. McGraw states that low company taxes have led to poor public facilities such as schools and roads. View of State capital building. Paul Kaufman explains how it has been possible for the coal owners to influence elections. Views of derelict areas. Arch Moore, Governor of West Virginia, argues that the influence of the mining industry in the legislature has declined in the last 20 years. Kaufman states that there is a need for stringent laws to curb the abuses of strip mining. Arch Moore defends his record as Governor and his executive order to make West Virginia's air pollution laws less strict. Kaufman states that the governor is very responsive to the mine owners. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72371 |
| Production number: | 00525_2329 |
| Videofinder number: | 13 |
| Available to public: | no |
