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Mines Are Still Super Dangerous (and Big Coal Is Still Making Big PR Gaffes)

A moving tribute to coal miners who have died on the job, brought to you by the industry that killed them.

Ben Jervey
By Ben JerveyOct 09, 2010
Ben Jervey
Ben is a writer and editor covering climate change, energy, and environment, and is currently the Climate and Energy Media Fellow at Vermont Law School. He was the original Environment Editor at GOOD Magazine and his work has appeared regularly in National Geographic News, Grist, DeSmogBlog, and OnEarth. He recently worked with the non-profit Focus the Nation to publish an Energy 101 primer. When living in New York City, he wrote a book, The Big Green Apple, on how to live a lower impact life in the city. A bicycle enthusiast, Ben has ridden across the United States and through much of Europe.
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Remember the Upper Big Branch disaster back in April, when miners died and all of sudden mine safety was a big issue in the media? Well, nine miners have died since then—this despite the public outcry and a federal crackdown that was supposed to increase scrutiny and safety in mines.

TheWashington Post ran an incredible, in-depth, and disturbing look at this regulatory failure, accompanied by a powerful, moving slideshow about deceased miners and their families. Though, as Jeff Biggers pointed out, "online readers of the Washington Post today were forced to view a fatuous 'clean coal' ad prior to viewing an extraordinary photo galley on 'Death at American coal mines.'"


The Washington Post must've caught some flack—by the time I checked it out there was an ad for Amway.


environmentmediaadvertisingprcoalclean coalwashington postupper big branchenemy of the human racecoal miningspinaging

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