An Ohio poll focusing on young adults revealed that the millennials consider energy dependency among the top national security issues facing America. The survey focused on Buckeye State residents in the 18-29 age range, according to US Newswire .
A total of 61 percent of the participants in the Ohio poll noted their desire to see increased oil, natural gas, and coal production. The production of coal and natural gas has been a major topic along the election trail for both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The “war on coal” belief by many Ohio miners and their families is expected to play a major role in how many folks living in the southern regions of the state vote.
Even those residents who do not rely on the coal or natural gas industry for a paycheck often have strong views on the subject. The tax revenue generated from the energy industry helps fund schools, fire, and police levies in the poorest regions of Ohio. When Tagg Romney visited Vinton County last month, he was largely greeted with warm wishes by coal miners and their families, many of whom had been life-long Democrats. Signs emblazoned with the slogan, “Stop the War on Coal” were posted prominently along the route Mitt Romney’s son took through the area.
The polling of young Ohio residents also indicated that 50 percent of respondents indicated they now spend more money to get to work because of high gas prices. It is not uncommon for residents in rural regions of the state to travel 40 to 60 miles to get to work each morning.
The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) whole-heartedly endorsed Barack Obama in 2008. The group opted to sit this election out and not officially endorse either candidate, according to the National Journal .
UMWA official and a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates Mike Caputo, had this to say about the union’s presidential endorsement decision:
“As of right now, we’ve elected to stay out of this election. Our members right now have indicated to stay out of this race, and that’s why we’ve done that. I don’t think quite frankly that coalfield folks are crazy about either candidate.”
A group of American Energy Corporation Century Mine workers gathered together several weeks ago to share their views about the alleged war on coal by President Obama. The Beallsville miners stated that the president’s environmental policies threaten their jobs, according to the Herald Star . The miners sent a letter to the president asking him to stop using what they consider blatant lies in an advertisement claiming miners were forced to attend a Mitt Romney campaign rally.
An excerpt from the speech by the miner’s reads:
“As for anyone who claims the miners were forced to attend, those on-site Friday said these assertions probably came from discharged or disgruntled former employees.”
Earlier this summer Murray Energy Corporation, the parent company which the Beallsville miners work for, was forced to relocate or cut 56 workers. A total of 29 mining jobs were also reportedly axed at the Ohio Valley Coal Company’s Powhatan No. 6 Mine.