OSU boss Gordon Gee talks a good game about whipping America’s energy consumption into shape with a renewable revolution, about using university know-how to divorce us from our love affair with that dirty-ass, low-down coal. The self-ordained environmentalist was even named co-chair of a national movement of 15 colleges to help America become more energy independent.
But for how long will he be willing to walk the walk?
Gee has long held a seat on the board of Massey Energy Inc., a company that compensated him nearly $193,000 in 2007 alone, according to the Columbus Dispatch. And what’s the big deal about that? Massey has drawn some of the loudest criticism from Rust Belt environmentalists opposed to its practice of mountaintop removal for coal extraction, particularly in West Virginia. As if burning the coal isn’t bad enough, Massey uses the most environmentally detrimental method to find it.
Why don’t they just ask Mr. Smithers to be the other co-chair?
