Bill Raney
West Virginia Coal Association
1301 Laidley Tower
Charleston, WV 25301

Dear Bill:

In the April 3, 1999, issue of the Beckley Register Herald you were quoted as saying that environmental issues concerning mining "have been raised largely by extremists who do not live in West Virginia." Since I know that everything that appears in the Register Herald is gospel truth, I have no doubt that you expressed this sentiment.

Like many other things, extremism is in the eye of the beholder. I had always considered it an extreme position to insist upon no new burdens on the industry. When one's beginning and ending negotiating position is one of zero change, it is hard to see that as anything but extreme. Yet K.O. Damron chants "no new burdens on the industry" at the drop of a hat, as do you.

At the same time, you might consider anyone who wants the industry to make any change as an extremist.

Given that the word "extremist" has no universally accepted definition and the question of who and who isn't an extremist is a subjective judgment, there is not much point in arguing about who is and who is not an extremist. You and I may see the world so differently that my rational commentators are your extremists and vice versa.

This is not the case with the out of state part of your comment. State of residence is an objective fact that has an agreed upon meaning. I can honestly say that I don't know of anyone who has been active in the recent controversies over surface mining who lives outside of West Virginia.

So who are you talking about? Is it EPA, arguably a resident of Philadelphia or Washington although actually a resident of the entire United States, including West Virginia? Have there been some people sneaking across the border to raise environmental problems? Should we post border guards at Huntington, Parkersburg, Bluefield, and Kermit to keep them out?

Perhaps this line about "out of state extremists" is something people have said for so long that they don't even ask themselves if it is true. Perhaps you have some secret knowledge. I have never known you to continue to say something that has no basis in fact. If there are active participants in this discussion who are from out of state, I would be curious to find out whom you are talking about.

I look forward to your reply.

 Sincerely,

 John McFerrin