Sorry, but mining’s not getting the shaft

Your Oct. 21 editorial, “Draconian mining reform,” dares Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., to insert the words “and coal” wherever his bill stipulated “mining” or “hard-rock mining.” Your editorial further stated, “If this bill is nothing but a modest and reasonable “reform,” why on earth shouldn’t all its provisions apply to coal mines, as well?”

The answer is simple: Coal mining is already governed by similar provisions and in fact has been so for many generations.

Since 1920, coal mining has been subject to an 8 percent federal royalty for coal taken from underground mines and 12.5 percent for coal taken from surface mines. The royalties raised from coal mining on public lands have totaled more than $6 billion — entirely appropriate, since the owner of public land isn’t corporate mining giants, it’s the people of the United States of America.

How much in the way of federal royalties have been paid from the mining of gold, copper and uranium taken from our public lands? Zero.

Additionally, coal mining is governed by a separate environmental statute and is subject to provisions of the Clean Water Act and RCRA, another federal law that protects the natural resources of each state. Coal mines also pay a separate tonnage fee that goes into a fund to clean up abandoned mines.

Your editorial quotes an Idaho mine owner who labeled as unfair the distinction between coal mining and hardrock mining for precious minerals. He said, “If you’d have come up with this same kind of thing for the coal mines … it would never have got out of Rahall’s committee.” Actually, the same kind of thing got out of committee — and through Congress — around 90 years ago.

Ending the disparities between coal mining and precious mineral mining is a noble and just objective for modern mining legislation. I wish to thank the Review-Journal’s editors, who have pointed out the unfairness of existing laws that create huge disparities in royalty payments and environmental statutes (or lack thereof) that separately govern the coal mining industry and the mining of gold, copper and uranium.

Dan Geary

LAS VEGAS

THE WRITER OF NEVADA REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST.

No leaders

To the editor:

In response to your Oct. 20 story, “Charity to receive $4 million”:

As a man from Nevada who should really understand the rudiments of poker, it really tickled me to see Sen. Harry Reid and his “band of 40” get high-carded by Rush Limbaugh.

Although I am not a fan of Mr. Limbaugh, he at least puts his money (not the taxpayers’) where his mouth is. He just doesn’t talk the talk, he walks the walk.

In addition, he turned a stupid letter into a collector’s classic. Bravo!

It would be great if these senators would write more letters that could be turned into gold, and I would certainly encourage them to do so.

How about one to censure Jane Fonda for her total disregard for our troops during the Vietnam mess? Maybe a letter to Rep. John Murtha for his off-the-wall comments slandering the Marines in Iraq? Perhaps a letter to MoveOn.org and The New York Times for their slander of Gen. David Petraeus, who is looking after the troops they all talk about supporting? Could it be that the noise made on the taxpayers’ dime is nothing but posturing, and has very little to do with troop support?

Rhetorical questions. I and many other thinking taxpayers already know the answers, and are aware we are paying a heavy price for the leadership we are not getting.

al ciricillo

LAS VEGAS

High costs

To the editor:

Recently, I received a catalog that had some items from “back in the day.” Sen-Sen was a popular breath freshener that I enjoyed years ago and is available again. It used to cost 10 cents. Not anymore — the catalog is offering it for $11.95 a dozen, plus shipping and handling.

For lunch last week, I grabbed two slices of pizza and a Coke at a local place. It cost me $7.49! I remember when I could get a slice and Coke for a quarter — 25 cents!

My father-in-law laughed and said when he was a kid, a whole pie cost 25 cents.

When my dad got a raise to $10,000 a year, I thought I’d have it made if I could make that every year. Now, $10,000 a month barely keeps you afloat.

What has happened to our money? Since the federal government is supposed to regulate it, I’d say they are doing a lousy job. Nothing surprising about that. The federal government, along with its partners in crime, the state and local governments, is killing us.

When will it end? How will it end? I don’t know, but one thing is for sure: It will end, and it won’t be pretty.

BRUCE FEHER

LAS VEGAS