Environmentalists announce Oil Guzzler and Green Pearl award winners

Czech environmentalists have announced the winners of the Oil Guzzler and Green Pearl awards for the most environmentally damaging action and statement of the year. This year's Oil Guzzler prize went to Trade and Industry Minister Vladimir Tošovský for his efforts to expand coal mining in north Bohemia. The minister has been pushing for the limits imposed on coal mining in the region in the 1990s to be increased. This would lead to the destruction of several villages that are located on large brown coal deposits. The Green Pearl Award for the most ludicrous and damaging statement went to the governor of the Usti region Pavel Kouda of the Social Democrats. He told the media he wanted to expand coal mining in the region in order to improve the local culture.