[Eric in the Ozarks]

I've operated every piece of equipment a coal mine could have (except a dragline--there was something scary about that big bucket swinging on the other side of the window).
My family was involved in mining, but on a much smaller scale than anything like Gillette.
I've loaded washed coal with a 980, loaded holes with ANFO and could operate the D-9s and 637s we had (but no way am I an expert).
Funny how so many folks are in love this natural gas for electric generation. The Canadians are only too glad to sell us all they have.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Funny how so many folks are in love this natural gas for electric generation. The Canadians are only too glad to sell us all they have.

Sounds like you've been doing it all, in the mining business. It is a shame that this abundant resource has been demonized into near oblivion by the radical enviro-nazis. I've long advocated the usage of coal, natural gas, fuel oil and nuclear sources for power. I was raised in Farmington, NM and worked as a grunt laborer at the Four Corners Power Plant (once the nation's largest coal fired plant--maybe still). The enormity of the trucks, shovels, etc., was mind-boggling.

I've been in the O&G business for over 25 years and also realize the vast resources we have of that energy source. If only we could get a sane policy of using them all, power would be in abundant supply and a lot cheaper that it currently is. Just three years ago gas was around $2.00 per mcf, today it is $4.70. It will go down again, but not until some additional power sources are utilized, and I don't mean wind, solar or bio-diesel.

Ironically, the green agenda forced out coal, hydro and nuclear, leaving almost exclusively a dependence on natural gas. This resulted in the thin margins of supply we now have, particularly when you factor in the obstruction of all drilling efforts.

[biblewonk]

So how do you feel about Link Belt cranes? The company started right here in my home town and my dad worked for them 20 years. {weeping}