Coal mining is the only major industry in Eastern Ky and West Virginia. Without the mines running safely hundreds and even thousands of families will lose everything they have worked so hard for their whole lives. Mining is not just a job in these areas it's a way of life. it would be like going to Las Vegas and shutting down all the casinos. We need everyone to understand that coal mining is not the horrible evil industry that the EPA and Sierra Club want you to believe it is. My family has been in the coal business their whole life from my Dad down to my son. We mine coal safely and follow all the guidelines enforced by the EPA. If it had not been for all the mines and hard working miners for generations you would not have had electricity for centuries. COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON whether people choose to believe it or not. When the mines shut down and thousands of miners lose their jobs it will effect every industry in this country. Just because you may not be in this industry whatever you do whether it be a actor, singer, store owner, manager, own a theater, restaurant, grocery store,,whatever you do it will be effected because people will no monger have the extra money to go to watch a movie or buy a CD or buy groceries. Our GOV is broke now when you put people out of work by shutting down the only major industry in these areas that just puts more people on welfare and food stamps and that is the last thing our GOV needs. In the south we do not have enough solar or wind power to keep LIFE going without COAL. Please sign this petition and help get the mines back up and running safely and put these poor miners back to work and help KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON.