COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov 03, 2008
PRNewswire--USNewswire via COMTEX/
Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association (OCA),
today issued the following statement in response to
just-released remarks from Senator Barack Obama about the
nation's coal industry.
"Regardless of the timing or method of the release of
these remarks, the message from the Democratic candidate for
President could not be clearer: the Obama-Biden ticket spells
disaster for America's coal industry and the tens of thousands
of Americans who work in it.
"These undisputed, audio-taped remarks, which include
comments from Senator Obama like 'I haven't been some coal
booster' and 'if they want to build [coal plants], they can,
but it will bankrupt them' are extraordinarily misguided.
"It's evident that this campaign has been pandering in
states like Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana and
Pennsylvania to attempt to generate votes from coal
supporters, while keeping his true agenda hidden from the
state's voters.
"Senator Obama has revealed himself to be
nothing more than a short- sighted, inexperienced politician
willing to say anything to get a vote. But
today, the nation's coal industry and those who support it
have a better understanding of his true mission, to 'bankrupt'
our industry, put tens of thousands out of work and cause
unprecedented increases in electricity prices.
"In addition to providing an affordable, reliable source
of low-cost electricity, domestic coal holds the key to our
nation's long-term energy security - a goal that cannot be
overlooked during this time of international instability and
economic uncertainty.
"Few policy areas are more important to our economic
future than energy issues. As voters head to the polls
tomorrow, it is essential they remember that access to
reliable, affordable, domestic energy supplies is essential to
economic growth and stability."
The Ohio Coal Association (OCA) is a non-profit trade
association representing the interests of Ohio's underground
and surface coal mining producers. The OCA represents nearly
40 coal producing companies and more than 50 Associate
Members, which include suppliers and consultants to the mining
industry, coal sales agents and brokers and allied industries.
The Ohio Coal Association is committed to advancing the
development and utilization of Ohio coal as an abundant,
economic and environmentally sound energy source.