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Rather than blast their last mountain apart to get a few years of polluting coal, a West Virginia community proposes a wind farm which can produce clean energy forever.

by "The Last Mountain" | 12:22 pm February 14th, 2011 | 7 Comments »
Categories: Activism, Business, Education, Policy, Wind
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

In the valleys of Appalachia, a battle is being fought over a mountain. It is a battle with severe consequences that affect every American, regardless of their social status, economic background or where they live. It is a battle that has taken many lives and continues to do so the longer it is waged. It is a battle over protecting our health and environment from the destructive power of Big Coal.

The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal.

Instead the communities around Coal River Mountain propose a wind farm that could produce 328 megawatts of clean power and jobs forever, while the polluting coal would be depleted and the jobs gone in under 15 years. A forward thinking change in local or Federal laws could quickly change the tables.

David, himself, never faced a Goliath like Big Coal.

The citizens argue the practice of dynamiting the mountain’s top off to mine the coal within pollutes the air and water, is responsible for the deaths of their neighbors and spreads pollution to other states. Yet, regardless of evidence supporting these claims, Big Coal corporations repeat the process daily in the name of profit. Massive profit allows Big Coal to wield incredible financial influence over lobbyists and government officials in both parties, rewrite environmental protection laws, avoid lawsuits and eliminate more than 40,000 mining jobs, all while claiming to be a miner’s best friend. As our energy needs increase, so does Big Coal’s control over our future. This fact and a belief that America was founded on the democratic principal that no individual or corporation owns the air and water and we all share the responsibility of protecting it, drives these patriotic citizens and their supporters from outside of Appalachia, like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to keep fighting.

A passionate and personal tale that honors the extraordinary power of ordinary Americans when they fight for what they believe in, “The Last Mountain” shines a light on America’s energy needs and how those needs are being supplied. It is a fight for our future that affects us all.

“The Last Mountain” was picked up for theatrical distribution at the Sundance Film Festival where it just premiered in January and it will be in theaters this spring! We ask for your support for “The Last Mountain” and in the fight for Coal River Wind, but most importantly for clean energy nationwide. We hope to change hearts and minds in the debate over our energy future and we look forward to the live taping in March!

To see the film’s website go here: www.thelastmountainmovie.com

To see a short report proving that wind is viable on Coal River Mountain go here: www.crmw.net/crmw/sites/default/files/CRW_brochure.pdf

The full economic study is here:
www.crmw.net/crmw/sites/default/files/Wind_vs_mountaintop_removal_coal_Coal_River_Mtn_Dec2008.pdf

And here is a video on the wind project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIwO9Z3IlRo

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7 Responses to “Rather than blast their last mountain apart to get a few years of polluting coal, a West Virginia community proposes a wind farm which can produce clean energy forever.”


  1. On February 17th, 2011 at 10:49 am Michael Fallon Said:

    What an incredible story. Docs like these should sit atop the “must watch” list.


  2. On February 17th, 2011 at 3:45 pm Gregory Borgert Said:

    I had the opportunity to see The Last Mountain documentary at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The beauty of this documentary was that it didn’t just complain about an environmental issue, but provided a viable alternative solution. This approach was a breath of fresh air to protests that just complain about a problem but don’t offer a solution. The issue was clearly stated and this film needs to be seen by a greater audience.


  3. On February 17th, 2011 at 4:30 pm Tim Rockwood Said:

    Maria Gunnoe, Bo Webb, Ed Wiley, and Bobby Kennedy, Jr. speak truth to power in our science-based film that we hope will engage, inform, and entertain you. How beautiful is West Virginia? How ugly are 500 decapitated mountains? Please see the trailer, above, and the supporting scientific studies, also linked above, that underscore the values of moving from coal to wind, from 19th century, pollution-based prosperity to 21st century clean, green job creation.


  4. On February 17th, 2011 at 5:07 pm Geoff Allan Said:

    With all the blowback from the newbies running the show in the US House (temporarily running it, we can only hope)…and their unfortuante efforts to gut the EPA of funding among other insane ideas…the focus on viable alt. energy cannot be allowed to slip. Gotta keep a laser focus on promoting the good ideas and the publicity for them cannot relent. Hope this film comes to Edgartown, Tim!
    -G


  5. On February 20th, 2011 at 9:20 pm Sidse Powell Said:

    When a documentary like The Last Mountain is made in time to make a difference in our world, not simply tell us a story that will go down in history, but allow us to participate, engage and be part of making history, then it becomes paramount to get the film and information available to all who wish to create a brighter and more beautiful future. Please see the film. Get Active. Spread the Word. And Save The Last Mountain!


  6. On February 21st, 2011 at 5:45 pm Oyvind Bergene, Norway Said:

    I hope this fantastic documentary, The Last Mountain, can put the focus on a global problem – not abuse the Nature! This was a well documented film from a beautiful area that will be totally destroyed if this continues.
    I hope this will put a focus on the issue, and create a debate on how to use alternative sources in the struggle for future energy demands.
    As a Norwegian, with a lot of untouched nature per head, I hope that “The Last Mountain” can be the changing point in this effort!
    All the best from a cold Norway :-)


  7. On February 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 pm Carrie Winans Said:

    I’m glad that there has been so much excitement circulating around this piece! It is supposed to hit theaters June 3rd. Here is a comment from the director which may give some insight into the movies future success!

    “I was impressed with the business model that Peckos and her partner Steven Raphael presented which seems right on target for the way environmental docs are being released today. There was a lot of distributor interest but I felt that their passion for the film and experience with releasing documentaries was the right fit. The fact that they are committing to a seven figure distribution budget is a great marker for the passion they have for the film.”

    see more, http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogssundanceblog/51137976-50/coal-film-bill-company.html.csp

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