Mountain Top Removal

Clean Coal

by

James Kiger

CO2 Sequestration

Gasification

• The process in which the emitted carbon dioxide from coal is stored in underground reservoirs

• uses integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC) to steam

air which then combines with coal to force carbon molecules apart

• Used in Europe and Asia, but not the United States

• Still emits high amounts of CO2

Polycythemia Vera

• rare type of bone marrow cancer

• Annually, approximately 3,500 people in the

United States are diagnosed with this disease.

Red Coal Ash

Unpredictable Gas Seepage!!!!!!

• Highly toxic, containing arsenic, mercury, and even lead

Sweet Sassy Molassy!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Thought to be the cause of Polycythemiac Vera

in parts of PA

WV Rep. David McKinley

• “This is a must-pass bill, and this is something that the

congressman has said is vital to the economy and keeping more

than 316,000 jobs in the coal industry."

Air Pollution from Surface Mining

Sources

• "Mining." Pollutionissues.com. Advameg Inc, 2012. Web. 19 Apr 2012.
• Squillace, Mark. "Chapter 2: The Environmental Effects of Strip Mining." The Strip Mining Handbook. N.p., 2009. Web. 19 Apr 2012.
• Nanjowe, . "The Environmental Impact of Strip Mining." Brighthub.com. N.p., 11 Feb 2010. Web. 19 Apr 2012.

Environmental Effects of Surface Mining

Why Is It Important

• Economic Future Appalachia
• New Industrial locations
• Residential areas
• Public Facilities

Mountain Top Removal Reclamation

Pollution from Surface Mining has harmful consequences for people, animals and the environment.

Water Pollution

How Surface Mining affects the land.

• Water-pollution problems caused by mining include acid mine drainage, metal contamination, and increased sediment levels in streams.

• This picture is of pollution from a surface mine flowing into the Ohio River

Mountain Top Removal Reclamation

Abandoned Mine Lands Program

What Is Mountain Top Removal Reclamation

• Return mountain to pre-mining condition
• Plant vegetation
• Removal of run off of coal slurries
• Ensure no on-going damage to surrounding environment

• Coal Production Tax
• $0.12 cents per ton of underground mined coal
• $0.28 cents per ton of surface mined coal
• Tax proceeds are put towards the reclamation of abandoned mines
• As of December 15, 2011 more than $7.2 billion has been used to reclaim over 295,000 acres of abandoned mines

Is Every Mountain Reclaimed?

SMCRA of 1977

• NRDC analysis shows
• 90% of mountain top removal sites have not been restored to economic use
• 6.3% of total sites yield some form of verifiable post-mining economic development
• 3.7% Economically operational

• Signed into law by President Carter Aug. 3, 1977
• Regulates active control mines
• Reclamation of abandoned mines
• Plan for reclamation before mining can start

Summary

• Most Important part of MTR
• Preserves way of life in Appalachia
• Strict laws are becoming more strict
• Ways to improve

Clean Water Act

Coal Slurry Spill in Coldwater Creek, KY

• Effective 1972
• Federal Water Pollution Control Amendment of 1972
• Followed by Water Act of 1987

Abandoned Mine Lands Program

• Coal Production Tax
• $0.12 cents per ton of underground mined coal
• $0.28 cents per ton of surface mined coal
• Tax proceeds are put towards the reclamation of abandoned mines
• As of December 15, 2011 more than $7.2 billion has been used to reclaim over 295,000 acres of abandoned mines