KY coalfield residents plan to lock hands for mining - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

KY coalfield residents plan to lock hands for mining

Posted: Updated:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Coalfield residents are being called on to be part of a 17-mile human chain to show support for Kentucky's coal industry.

The demonstration is the brainchild of local politicians who want their constituents to join hand-to-hand across Bell County, one of the state's top coal producers.

Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock said he hopes the event will call attention to the difficulties facing Kentuckians who depend on coal mining for their livelihoods.

He hopes to send a message to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to back off regulations that are hurting the coal industry.

The "Hands of Coal Across Bell County" event is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT Aug. 11 along U.S. 25E. To be successful, organizer Joe Harris said some 20,000 people would have to participate.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press