Coal Country Showing

From the Shawnee Group:

"Coal Country" Event

In Appalachia, miners and residents are locked in conflict. "Coal Country" is a documentary that tells of the dramatic struggle around the use of coal, which provides over half the electricity in America. Shawnee Group Sierra Club will be showing this movie on Thursday, November 19th, at 7:00 PM at the Carbondale Township meeting room at 217 East Main St. in Carbondale (across from Bank of Carbondale).

Steve Fesenmaier, film reviewer for the Charleston Gazette, says, " 'Coal Country' is the best film on mountaintop removal to date…the interviews with miners, one owner and opponents are touching and revealing. This film should win an Oscar…."

Appalachia contains the most biodiversity of any area in the United States. Are we willing to sacrifice these beautiful mountains and the lives of the people who live there? Is there a better way? What is the true cost of coal? Is there such a thing as "clean coal" or "cheap energy?' Through this film, we meet the people involved in the mountaintop removal conflict - all sides. We also witness the strip mining process and the beauty of the area.

We will hold a discussion after the movie and there will be an opportunity for letter writing if you are moved to do something about this issue. This is a very timely issue, because the U.S. EPA is currently in a decision process to determine whether or not pushing mountaintops into streams violates the Clean Water Act. Over 2000 miles of mountain streams have been buried so far in Appalachia because of mountaintop removal coal mining.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is in the lot off of Monroe St. and Marion St. Look for the green building and enter through the back door off of the alley. The front door will be locked.

"Coal Country" is a documentary that tells of the dramatic struggle around the use of coal, which provides over half the electricity in America. Shawnee Group Sierra Club will be showing this movie on Thursday, November 19th, at 7:00 PM at the Carbondale Township meeting room at 217 East Main St. in Carbondale, IL. Discussion will follow. Refreshments and live music are included. Free to all.