Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal & the Fight for Coalfield Justice

Catherine Pancake's award-winning documentary, narrated by Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), examines the destructive results of mountaintop coal mining in West Virginia. Unlike subterranean mining, this form of mining literally removes the entire top off mountains in hopes of exposing the coal seams. The ecological consequences are painfully obvious: 1,200 miles of polluted headwater streams, thousands of acres of forest destroyed, and flattened mountain peaks. Unfortunately, community activists from towns surrounding the mining sites have found themselves ignored by both state and federal officials (thanks to lobbying by the much better-financed coal industry) and the mainstream media has shown no interest in highlighting this story. While several prominent local figures are interviewed here—most notably the eloquent environmental activist Julia Bonds—Black Diamonds' real power comes from accounts by people in the small towns who have literally seen their world ravaged and wrecked by the coal companies (in addition, property values have plummeted, making it impossible for residents to sell and move to cleaner communities). Some 55% of American electricity is generated by coal; in this case, however, the costs acutely outweigh the benefits. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)