Coal and West Virginia: Where Do I Stand?

West Virginia is a natural beauty. The autumn leaves of the state, the beautiful river, abundant wildlife, often referred to as "wild and wonderful", influenced the composition of folk songs. Although the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" describes West Virginia as "almost paradise", it is difficult to argue (Danoff, Denver, & Nivert, 1971). According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce (2009), the state is the lowest in the US in terms of living expenses, employee turnover rates, average home prices, and violent crime.

One of the main resources of the West Virginia economy is coal. According to the Energy Information Administration Bureau, West Virginia is the largest coal producing country in the United States, second only to Wyoming. West Virginia is located in the center of the Marcell Sharr gas stratum extending from northern Tennessee to New York in Appalachian central area. Almost all West Virginia electricity generation comes from coal-fired power plants. West Virginia has generated surplus electricity and has led the interstate net electricity export within the state. West Virginia also practices agriculture, but because of the majority of the mountainous region of the state, on a limited scale

I am from Mullens in West Virginia and the coal mines are very deep. I am a coal miner, a granddaughter, a prostitute, a daughter of a daughter in law. When I was young, I was very proud of the coal industry in our country. I am proud that West Virginia coal supplies electricity to our country through the Industrial Revolution and enables our factory to operate during the Second World War. The United States is built on our coal - it is partially built behind the Appalachian Mountains. Like many other families in Appalachia, my family paid a large sum for coal. I lost my grandfather 's black lung and I recently learned that my uncle was diagnosed with this disease. Our health and living are not the only price we pay for the area. Also, I saw our beautiful streams and rivers polluted with toxins while watching the summit of the mountains blown away. The price we pay is rising rapidly