From our Friends at LEAF

Feb 14, 2011- Action Alert-Take heart

Dear LEAF Supporters,
For Valentine's Day LEAF's message is Take Heart. Jesus and Paul often told early Christians exactly that. People ask me, is LEAF even going to pursue a ban on mountain top mining this year? Of course we are! God is mighty enough to move the hearts of man in any political climate. This is the God who parted the Red Sea, after all. So Take Heart, LEAF will stay awake and prayerful and keep you apprised. We will all be ready when God's time arrives, and it appears to be drawing closer. I have all sorts of good news to share.
The explosions at Zeb Mountain have stopped, at least for now. The coal industry packed up and left. We don't know for how long. They could return and there are pending permits on other mountains, so mountain top mining isn't extinct yet. But Tennessee's oldest and largest mountain top mining site is quiet for now. Praise God.
I spent last week in Nashville, had some good meetings and the bills are now introduced.
The 2011 bill numbers are HB 291 (McDonald) and SB 577 (Stewart.)
In Tennessee, addition to God, we have two great allies, Representative Mike McDonald, http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h44.html, is our sponsor again in the House and Senator Eric Stewart, http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s14.html, is our new sponsor in the Senate. Please e-mail these men and thank them for their leadership on this issue. rep.mike.mcdonald@capitol.tn.us and sen.eric.stewart@capitol.tn.us.

The committees are also refreshed with some new faces and leadership.
* Senate Environment Committee
* House Conservation & Environment Committee

Now is the time to let them know that this bill should get to the top of their list for study and consideration and that you want them to stand with you and LEAF for the mountains. The substance of bill is the same, no altering or disturbing ridgelines above 2,000 feet elevation with surface coal mining. The nickname of the bill is still the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act. http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0577

In news from beyond Tennessee, citizens in Kentucky are standing up to a state government controlled by big coal. A group spent the weekend at the Governor's office, hoping for a fair hearing of their concerns for Kentucky's mountains and democracy. The annual “I love mountains” rally is each Valentine's Day. Prayers for them and if you wish to encourage Governor Beshear to speak with them you can e-mail him at www.governor.ky.gov.
Thank you again for your prayers and support,
Dawn Coppock
LEAF, Legislative Director

For more information contact Dawn Coppock, LEAF Legislative Director
c 865-382-0895, o 865-933-8173, dawn@dawncoppock.com or visit
www.tnleaf.org.