According to a press release titled, “Get Arrested with James Hansen to stop MTR!” Dr. Hansen and his out of town friends will be “Standing in defiance at the Massey Energy property line.

In response, Don L. Blankenship issued the following statement to Dr. Hansen, inviting him to a public debate about global warming and the West Virginia economy:

“While I don’t recall anyone inviting out of state environmental protestors from San Francisco and a Hollywood actress to Massey’s property on June 23rd, I’m more than willing to invite Dr. Hansen to have a factual discussion about coal mining in West Virginia, which provides thousands of jobs in the state and provides low-cost energy to millions of Americans.

“As Dr. Hansen and his out of state environmental supporters plan their demonstrations, I urge them not to put themselves, West Virginia miners or state troopers in harm’s way, as their environmental colleagues did recently at a protest at Massey Energy's Twilight Mine in Southern West Virginia.

“At this dangerous event, 14 protestors – mostly from states such as Maine, Michigan, Oklahoma and Florida – were arrested, diverting law enforcement from their primary duties of fighting crime and first response duties and costing the taxpayers of West Virginia. Four of the protestors scaled 200 feet up a piece of mining equipment as a publicity stunt, endangering themselves and law enforcement.

“I encourage Dr. Hansen to put safety first as we in the coal industry do.

“I look forward to hearing from Dr. Hansen, as I’m sure a productive dialogue – not publicity arrests – is what Dr. Hansen, a university professor who values an exchange of ideas, surely, must desire.”

About Massey Energy Company:

Massey Energy Company (NYSE: MEE), headquartered in Richmond, Va., with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the fourth largest coal producer by revenue in the United States and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

SOURCE: Jeff Gillenwater