ABSTRACT Mountaintop Removal Mining and the Environmental Rhetoric of the 2010 West Virginia State Primary Campaign Rachel Ford, M.A. Mentor: Martin J. Medhurst, Ph.D. This project analyzes the rhetoric of the 2010 West Virginia special senate primary election paying particular attention to the candidates’ discussion of mountaintop removal mining—a controversial type of mining in which the tops of mountains are removed so that the coal seams deep within can be easily accessed. Recently the practice of mountaintop removal has gained public attention because of its negative environmental impacts. This thesis uses a critical historical approach as a lens through which to interpret the complex historical relationship that has developed between the state and the coal industry. This history is important to my analysis because it illuminates the ways in which the relationship shapes the motivations of each candidate. I attempt to further develop an understanding of how political candidates use rhetorical strategies and tactics to discuss environmental concerns in the context of an election campaign. Mountaintop Removal Mining and the Environmental Rhetoric of the 2010 West Virginia Special Senate Primary Campaign by Rachel Ford, B.A. A Thesis Approved by the Department of Communication Studies David W. Schlueter, Ph.D., Chairperson Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Approved by the Thesis Committee Martin J. Medhurst, Ph.D., Chairperson Leslie A. Hahner, Ph.D. David K. Nichols, Ph.D. Accepted by the Graduate School May 2011 J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean Page bearing signatures is kept on file in the Graduate School. Copyright © 2011 by Rachel Ford All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 17 History of Coal in West Virginia .................................................................................. 17 The Development of Mountaintop Removal Mining .................................................... 35 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 51 Byrd‘s Legislative History ............................................................................................ 51 Senator Byrd‘s Legislative History Regarding ............................................................. 55 The Coal Industry and Environmental Initiatives ......................................................... 55 The Evolution of Senator Byrd‘s Statements Regarding Mountaintop Removal ......... 67 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 69 CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 76 Calling The Election...................................................................................................... 76 CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................ 103 Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 103 Democratic Party candidates ....................................................................................... 107 Republican Party candidates ....................................................................................... 117 Mountain Party candidate............................................................................................ 128 CHAPTER SIX ............................................................................................................... 134 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 134 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Throughout my life I have been blessed beyond measure by many people who have inspired and challenged me. This thesis would have been entirely impossible without their guidance, encouragement, and support. First, and most importantly, I would like to thank my parents, Arlene and Barney Ford, who taught me the importance of working hard and trying my best no matter the obstacle. I am indebted to my sisters, Sarah and Jessica, who have been wonderful role models and have always encourage me to follow my own path. I would also like to thank Marla and Chuck Sandridge for adopting me into their extended family, and the joy that they have brought to my life. During my time at Appalachian State, Kris Willis introduced me to academic debate and helped me to find my voice. For his patience and encouragement, I will always be grateful. In addition to being one of the bravest women I know, Mariam Willis is deserving of my thanks for being a breath of fresh air and a dear friend. I would also like to thank Dr. Janice Pope who opened my eyes to the issue of mountaintop removal. I would like to give special thanks to the individuals who played a special role during my time at Baylor. First, I would like to thank my thesis director, Dr. Martin J. Medhurst, without whom this project would not have been possible. Throughout this thesis process he has been unfailingly patient and had provided me with insightful feedback. To Dr. Leslie Hahner I would like to give my most sincere gratitude. As both a professor and a member on my thesis committee, Dr. Hahner has been a true example of scholarly excellence, and for her valuable insights I am very thankful. Dr. Scott Varda iv also merits special consideration. Throughout my time at Baylor, Dr. Varda has proved to be one of the kindest and most genuine people that I am privileged to know. In finishing, two people in particular merit special recognition. Kathleen Kalish has been my most dear friend and soul sister for many years. As my favorite enemy of the status quo, Kathleen has inspired me to always grow and develop as a person. Without her daily encouragement and practical doses of reality, I would not be the person I am today. Throughout this process my wonderful partner, Tommy McElroy, has been a constant and invaluable source of love and support. I am blessed beyond words to have him in my life. v CHAPTER ONE Introduction On July 20, 2010, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia passed away at the age of 92, leaving the Senate seat he occupied for over 51 years empty. Shortly after the senator‘s death, terms were set for a special election and 14 candidates began jockeying for Byrd‘s seat. The special election campaigns spanned over five weeks ending, on August 28, with the primary election. Within the context of the campaigns, the practice of surface mining, and specifically mountain top removal (MTR), became an important issue. Former senator and West Virginia secretary of state Ken Hechler was responsible for making MTR a point of campaign controversy. At age ninety-five, Hechler entered the senate race and stated, "Mountaintop removal is my number one issue, and it will be the first bill I will introduce into the Senate.‖1 By exclusively focusing on MTR, Hechler forced the other candidates to make decisions about the way they would engage or disengage the MTR debate. The Nature of the Problem From a rhetorical perspective, this West Virginia special election campaign is of particular interest because of the exigency that exists between the State‘s economic and cultural ties to the coal industry and increasing environmental consciousness and concern about MTR. Analyzing the campaign through the lens of the issue of MTR provides a unique opportunity to understand both environmental and campaign-based rhetoric within the larger frame of West Virginian history and culture. To fully understand the rhetorical strategies deployed by candidates it is vital to explore what Loyd Bitzer terms the 1 rhetorical situation. For Bitzer, the rhetorical situation is not merely the context in which the speech occurs, it is the realization that ―a particular discourse comes into existence because of some specific condition or situation which invites utterance.‖2 The Rhetorical Situation Since the discovery of coal in West Virginia in 1742, the state has been, and continues to be, largely shaped by the coal industry. As result of the interlaced histories of coal and West Virginia, the relationship that West Virginians have with the coal industry is the foundation of the rhetorical situation that structures how candidates present arguments. Ronald Lewis in his 1991 research article, ―Appalachian Restructuring in Historical Perspective: Coal, Culture, and Social Change in West Virginia,‖ argues that the coal industry‘s involvement in the development of West Virginia is responsible for the ―rural-industrial‖ climate in the state today.3 Lewis argues that the rural-industrial culture in the state is at least partially responsible for the difficulty West Virginians have regulating the coal industry.4 To fully understand the rhetorical situation of the special election, an examination of the historical relationship between West Virginian coal workers and the coal industry is needed. Toward that end, this thesis will contribute a rhetorical history of