Northeast Assembly Thread

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Here is my justification for this bill.

Mountaintop removal is known to be an 'extreme' form of mining that occurs rarely, but has great negative impacts on people who live near the areas of where it takes place.  It destroys our beautiful mountains, harms biodiversity, fills our water with dirt and pollutants, contaminates the air with coal dust, and inevitably harms the health of residents nearby.  The form of mining also doesn't create new jobs, but reduces the need for workers.  The Northeast government should not permit this type of environmental destruction in our region.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Being from a coal mining state, I endorse this legislation. Even in states like West Virginia, most residents oppose mountain-top mining as a particularly destructive form of mining which causes erosion (and therefore pollution), destroys the scenic Appalachians, and takes away jobs which could be created through slower but safer methods of mining.

[Cincinnatus]

I support this legislation.  It's intent to protect our biodiversity, and prevent adverse effects is commendable.  It's important that we balance our demand for energy, and responsibility to the environment.  In this regard, I feel the benefit of this bill, far outweighs the benefit of permitting this method of mining.     

[tpfkaw]

This bill is not only silly but also harmful.  Coal mining is inevitably a process which causes environmental damage, and obviously mining more coal would cause more damage.  However, it is ridiculous to say that coal should only be sourced from many small mines (all of which are environmentally-damaging eyesores), as opposed to a few big mines.  The level of environmental damage is going to inevitably be the same or even higher since only less-efficient methods are allowed to be used.

All this does is raise the price of energy, which will impact low-income individuals the most, and makes our mining industry uncompetitive compared to other regions and other countries which do not have these restrictions.  The 'mountaintop removal' will simply travel elsewhere, as well as the blue-collar unionized mining jobs that go with the coal mining industry.

If environmentalists are truly so concerned about this, then they are perfectly free to put their money where their mouth is and purchase said mountaintops from coal mining companies to be made into whatever sort of nature preserve they like.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This bill is not only silly but also harmful.  Coal mining is inevitably a process which causes environmental damage, and obviously mining more coal would cause more damage.  However, it is ridiculous to say that coal should only be sourced from many small mines (all of which are environmentally-damaging eyesores), as opposed to a few big mines.  The level of environmental damage is going to inevitably be the same or even higher since only less-efficient methods are allowed to be used.

All this does is raise the price of energy, which will impact low-income individuals the most, and makes our mining industry uncompetitive compared to other regions and other countries which do not have these restrictions.  The 'mountaintop removal' will simply travel elsewhere, as well as the blue-collar unionized mining jobs that go with the coal mining industry.

If environmentalists are truly so concerned about this, then they are perfectly free to put their money where their mouth is and purchase said mountaintops from coal mining companies to be made into whatever sort of nature preserve they like.

Regular mining does not result in the damage of approximately 1,200 miles of streams, destroyed forests on some 300 square miles of land, contamination drinking water, flooded communities, or destroyed wildlife the way mountaintop removal does.  The companies will be allowed to use other methods of mining, but not kinds that are capable of such destruction and environmental harm.  Inhabitants of places like rural Pennsylvania are directly impacted by the decisions of these coal-mining industries.

All the costs are externalized in the form of damaged health and the environment.  And, as previously stated, mountaintop removal takes away jobs.  On top of all that, hunting, fishing, and other activities flourish in these sights.  My bill would not have a high impact on jobs and, if anything, would reduce costs in the long run.  But right now, we are choosing between cheaper energy and the quality of life for Appalachian residents.

I would be very open to purchasing nature preservations if such a proposal is made.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Also, numerous polls such as these have shown that the vast majority of Appalachian residents oppose the procedure.  This Assembly ought to represent them and their views, since their lives will be affected by this bill the most.

[Free Palestine]

But if we don't flatten the Appalachians, how will we ever make room for the Senator Libertas Memorial Park, or my palace?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

But if we don't flatten the Appalachians, how will we ever make room for the Senator Libertas Memorial Park, or my palace?

Ever hear of a beautiful, flat place called Nebraska?

But in all seriousness, there are many places in the Northeast not in Appalachia.  If you want to build something on flat land, you are welcome to do so, but such an extreme form of mining has a significant impact on the lives of people on this land.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Debate time has expired.  Members will now cast their votes on passage of the legislation.  This will be a 24-hour vote.

The Mountaintop Removal Ban Act

A BILL to preserve the environment and public health by banning the removal of summits or summit ridges of mountains

1. The Northeast Assembly hereby acknowledges:

• That mountaintop removal is considered an 'extreme form' of mining
• That mountaintop removal hurts biodiversity
• That mountaintop removal reduces workers
• That mountaintop removal is a threat to the public health

2. The Northeast government shall not distribute any permits to coal-mining industries that desire to mine through the means of mountaintop removal.

3. Mining industries that partake in this practice will be fined at a maximum of $250,000.  The final amount shall be determined in a court of law.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye.

[Cincinnatus]

Aye.

[Free Palestine]

Aye

[tpfkaw]

Nay

[Lambsbread]

Can I still vote? If so, Aye.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Voting time has expired.  The ayes are four, nays are one, abstentions zero, and non-voting members two.  The bill is passed.

No further legislation shall be considered by this body until the following session.  Please reintroduce all new bills after the start of the next session.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

The new session begins tomorrow. At that time, I will open nominations for Speaker (though I officially have no say, I endorse Scott)

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Thank you, Governor.

Please swear in if you haven't yet, everyone.  Only Cincinnatus and I have done so.

[Free Palestine]

I have no idea if I've been re-elected or not.

[Cincinnatus]

The new session begins tomorrow. At that time, I will open nominations for Speaker (though I officially have no say, I endorse Scott)

I oppose this blatant act of cronyism

[Username MechaRFK]

I swear in.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I swear in.

This thread, please.

[Napoleon]

Scott has been an excellent Speaker and the Northeast would be blessed if he chose to serve again.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Thank you for your kind words, Napoleon.  I would very much like to run for the position again.

[Lambsbread]

I'm throwing my tentative support behind Scott for Speaker

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Thank you, 20RP12.