It seems clear to me that Obama decided early on that his administration would go lightly on regulation enforcement, lest we destroy more jobs. Okay, I get it. I don’t agree with it, but I get it. However, I can think of no good reason why he’d let his administration ignore the many, many environmental and social sins of the coal industry when everyone knows it is already dying. In fact, he should have this latest death on his conscience.
A matter of conscience
MSHA: Meh, Shit HAppens
He “should” have such a death on his conscience. But heavens, do we really think a mining death is going to bother somebody who sends scores of drone missles here and there bearing the address of “to whom it may concern”?
And while the coal industry has occupied a greater role in the U.S. energy picture than it does now, its exports abroad to nations such as China and India has reached an all time high.
‘Good for business’ trumps all.
This is clearly one area where rule by our one overarching Corporate Uniparty prevails.
And heck, just because something like this happened a mere four years ago…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Fossil_Plant_coal_fly_ash_slurry_spill
…well, these are fossil freaking fuels we’re talking about, and they have a license to, uh, kill.
Let’s all remember that, shall we?
Have you looked at the list of BigO’s staunchest, biggest donors? Big Coal (and nuclear) has been right up there back to when he was smallfry in Illinois.