Coal Mining in America and Environmental Issues - Research Paper Example

Energy and Conservation - Coal Mining in America and Environmental Issues Introduction The energy consumption groups in United States of America are essentially dived into four group viz. residential, commercial, transportation and industrial by the United States Department of Energy. An estimate reveals that the residential and commercial group together consumes more than one-third of the energy produced in America. America is mainly classified to be an industrialized nation with industry being the major contributor to the country’s economic growth. The industrial sector with industries like Petroleum Refining, Steel Manufacturing, Aluminum Manufacturing, Paper Manufacturing, Chemical and Cement Manufacturing is found to consume about 31 percent of the total energy resources of the country. The transportation sector in United States of America accounts for 27 percent of the total energy consumption. (Energy Consumption, N.D.) The energy policy of United States of America needs to be properly designed keeping in mind factors like economic, political, environmental, military and foreign policy in order to sustain its position as regards to the growing energy demand which can result in a crisis. In this context it needs be mentioned that United States is the world’s largest importer of oil and natural gas. The global energy supply and demand has become a strategic issue to be dealt with in the light of the reason that the major energy supplying nations are deemed to be the politically unstable countries viz. Arab Countries and Russia. Owing to environmental and humanitarian reasons America has been made bound to abandon Nuclear Research projects and restricting its oil exploration initiatives in places such as Alaska. The per capita consumption of energy resources is increasing at a rapid pace in America. The issues related to global warming also triggered the reduction in the use of coal and other fossil fuels. (Weidenbaum, 2002) The paper thus tends to highlight the use of both fossil and non-fossil fuels in the light of a greener environment. Coal Mining in America and Environmental Issues The use of mountaintop coal mining practices has led to serious environmental issues in the Appalachian region. Keeping tune to a ruling given by the United States District’s Court on the issue of “legality of valley fills” the state of West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) stated that neither new permits will be issued nor the existing permits well be advanced. However, on November 1st, 1999 the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) ruled out the order given in the light of a change in the judgment given. The courses of the events stated are in a sense affecting the operations of coal mining industry in West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The Mountain Top removal mining method is often termed as “mountaintop mining” or “mountaintop operations”. It is a surface coal mining technique practiced along the steep mountain slopes of the central Appalachian mountain regions. It consists mainly of three types of mining techniques: Contour Mining, Area Mining and Mountaintop Removal Mining. Mountaintop Removal mining activity is mainly concerned with the removal of the top layer of the mountain to harness the coal resources lying beneath it. The land is left in a condition to be used for future commercial, industrial or residential uses. The practice of steep slope mining and contour surface mines helps in abiding by the rule of putting the land back to “approximate original contour” or AOC in an easy manner. The total mining area in the district of West Virginia can be divided into mountaintop mining contributing to 44 percent; area mining to 24 percent and contour mining to 33 percent. The mining activities practiced in America have led to the emergence of key environmental issues. One of the key environmental issues is the degradation of the mountain resources in the region. Due to mountaintop activities practiced in the region the original contour and elevation of the mountains has been affected owing to an aesthetic disturbance. The above cause has spurred an agitation among the community of that region for the mountains to be damaged. (Singhal, 2000, pp. 93-95). The Electric Power Industry of the United States of America is considered to be the largest toxic polluter in the country in the light of its using massive quantity of coal for generation of power. The use of coal in multifarious industrial and domestic activities has led the environment to get polluted by the emission of harmful and toxic gases into the atmosphere. An estimate shows that nearly about 900 million tons of coal is burned annually in America. The pollutants emitted owing to the burning of coal result in adverse health and environmental hazards. The toxic products emitted cause diseases like Cancer and also affect the nervous and reproductive system of human beings. Carbon Dioxide one of the pollutants emitted depletes the Ozone layer of the atmosphere and thus is harmful to the climate. The mining of coal proves harmful to surface and ground water resources and even to air. The practice of surface mining completely erodes the land from its normal potential. Underground mining techniques result in the flow of soluble materials like sulfates, carbonates and bicarbonates polluting the natural water resources. The Acid Mine drainage results in the mixture of Pyrite with water and air resulting in the formation of sulfuric acid and iron. (Keating, 2001, pp. 1-2). The powerhouses have taken resort to Fluidized Bed Combustion technique to get rid of coal pollution. In Fluidized Bed Combustion a packed bed of coal fragments and other small particles is subjected to a heavy gas flow, which absorbs the contaminated gases emitted during combustion. (Technology Status Report, 2000) Oil and Natural Gas Resources and Environmental Implications A 1973 estimate states that the world consumed about 57 million barrels of oil on a day basis. The figure grew to 86 million barrels of oil consumed per day in 2008 according to the United States Energy Information Administration Agency. In 2008, United States is reported to consume 19.5 million barrels of oil on a daily basis, which is around 23 percent of the total oil consumption of the world. The discovery of newer reserves along major oil fields of Canada, Brazil and under the Gulf of Mexico has attracted the attention of many. Oil resources still occupy the place of one of the important natural resources from the global perspective. Still the emergence of key energy resources like Solar, Geothermal, Wind and Wave energy has reduced the dependency on the oil resources which in turn has helped to reduce air and water pollution. The use of cold fusion technology in the American Navy has also been a key parameter of shift from resources. (Davies & Cetron, 2010, pp. 39-41). The oil soiling is one of the major environmental threats offered by the transportation of crude oil across the Pacific Ocean from South East Asia to the west coast of United States. The major reasons for the oil spills are the leakages while loading of oil in the tanks or also during the washing of such. Again, some vessels use oil as a fuel, which also contributes to the spillage. The effects of oil spilling are manifold. It can cause the breaking up of a fire and can also help in spreading of toxic waste in the sea. Aquatic life is greatly threatened owing to the oil spillage. The larvae and small aquatic life face the biggest danger along with the underwater bio-diversity. Oil spillage coating in the shore owes much danger to that of the water coating. Thus cleaning up activities of the shore is maintained to reduce the magnitude of threat. The sea birds are the major victims of oil pollution in the seashores. Oil stuck on their feathers reduces their flying capacity and also damages the embryo of the eggs laid. Further, sea birds consume the contaminated food on the shores and water, which is transferred to their offspring. In some cases it is seen that the cleaning up activity taken in the shores happens to bring a much greater damage than the pollution itself. It is thus recommended to draw a contingency plan as to which type of cleaning activity is to be pursued where to reduce cost and increase in efficiency on the cleaning process. The spreading up of the oil spill owing to weather and temperature conditions takes place if proper care is not taken in the cleaning up activity. The spreading up of the oil also leads to evaporation of the lighter and volatile elements of the oil and can help in the cleaning activities. However, the mixture of the oil with the atmosphere may lead to fire or explosion also. The essential action to be taken in case of oil spilling activity is the collection of samples, which can provide information as to the source of oil spill. Oil coming ashore needs to be prevented first than taking up of cleaning tasks. Burning up of the oil spilled must never be encouraged as it can spread widespread menace. (Carver & Carver, 1989). The use of Nuclear Energy and Environmental Issues The power generation in America is catered by around 20 percent by the Nuclear Power Plants. Substitution of nuclear energy in place of using fossil fuels to generate electricity in America has considerably reduces the fall out of harmful emissions in the atmosphere. An estimate reveals that about 25 percent of electrical power in America is generated by nuclear plants, wind and solar energy producers. The use of nuclear energy in the production of electricity in America has helped curb the emission of 1 million tons of nitrogen oxides and 2.7 million tons of Sulphur dioxides. A, 2008 estimate reveals that America’s nuclear plants has helped in the cessation of emission of 689 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide. Moreover, companies providing the nuclear power facilities are found to take steps in providing a pollution free environment to the society. The cooling water discharged from nuclear stations is free from harmful chemicals and it also meets the Federal Clean Water Act requirements as regards to temperature and mineral content. (Nuclear Energy and the Environment, 2009, pp. 1-2, 4). The operation of the nuclear reactors produces radioactive waste products. However, the waste products emitted are in far less amount than the emission of pollutants from fuel energy sources. The nuclear power plants being the largest service providers of nuclear energy become the potential sources for nuclear wastes. Nature of the wastes products drained out by the nuclear power stations depend on factors like the nature of the reactor, its design, operating features and method of fuelling it. In the nuclear power plants Low and Intermediate level of radioactive waste products are formed by the collision of various materials with the radionuclide generated. The radionuclide generated is collected in the coolant system of the reactors and to some extent in the spent fuel storage pool. Several countries in order to reduce the amount of nuclear waste collected in interim storage tanks and to curb the disposal costs are keen in taking measures to resist the production of waste wherever applicable. Significant measures to be taken in this direction is the use of hot air driers in case of paper towels, use of a durable protective sheet of clothing and other administrative lookouts to ensure safety. Several forms of waste products arise owing to the operations of the nuclear reactors. They are mainly liquid wastes, wet solid wastes, solid and gaseous wastes. The liquid radioactive waste products contain both soluble and insoluble radioactive elements and other non-radioactive materials. Here, the main outlook is to decontaminate the liquid waste and recycling of the decontaminated part thus obtained. The treatments used for decontaminating the liquid waste are evaporation, chemical precipitation, solid phase separation and ion exchange. The emission of nuclear gas wastes is treated by passing the air through filters before releasing it to the outer atmosphere. Air filters in this stage are mainly particle removal filters having an efficiency of 99.9 percent. (Efremenkov, 1989, pp. 37-40) Decommissioning of the nuclear power plants provide lot of advantages when the plant is not in use. It is seen that the large amount of materials obtained in the course of decommissioning are mainly non-radioactive and can be recycled at a later stage. The radioactive materials are packed and delivered over to disposal sites. (Decommissioning of nuclear power facilities, 2005). Conclusion The use of energy resources is seen to counter a major shift from fuel resources to non-fuel resources like nuclear energy, wind and solar energy. This shift acts as a boon in reduction of environmental pollution in developed countries like United States of America. Further, reduction of utility concentration on the natural resources like fossil fuels increases the scope of its availability in times of contingency. Major environmental threats can also be avoided due to the above reason like the oil-pollution in the Gulf. However, care must also be taken to reduce the events like radioactive pollution which though less can be life threatening. References 1. AEN NEA Nuclear Energy Agency. (2005). Decommissioning of nuclear power facilities. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from: http://www.nea.fr/rwm/reports/2004/nea5728-decom.pdf 2. Carver, A. & M. Carver (1989). Oil Pollution its potential impact on the environment of the South Pacific region. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from : http://www.sprep.org/Factsheets/pdfs/Archive/Oil%20Pollution%20its%20potential%20impact%20on%20the%20environment%20of%20the%20South%20Pacific%20Region-Reduced.pdf 3. Cetron, M. & Davies, O. (2010). The Futurist. World Forces in the Natural and Institutional Environments. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from: http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf23_24/pdf/2010/FUT/01Jul10/51010396.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=51010396&S=R&D=aph&EbscoContent=dGJyMNLe80Seprc40dvuOLCmr0ieprVSsKi4SLGWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGstE%2BvqrJMuejjhe3q41Pj3u2L8gAA 4. Energy Consumption. (N.D.). Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from: http://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/IntInfo/ConsI.pdf 5. Efremenkov, V. (1989), Radioactive Waste Management at Nuclear Power Plants. IAEA Bulletin, Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from: http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Magazines/Bulletin/Bull314/31404683742.pdf 6. Fact Sheet. (September 2009). Nuclear Energy and the Environment. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:5IvY0R0_BTQJ:www.nei.org/filefolder/Nuclear_Energy_and_the_Environment-0909.pdf+nuclear+energy+%2B+america+%2B+pdf&hl=en&gl=in&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShiS7rPU4vqim9q580nkmcL02CIsEMY3-penX2exCW6fbdcVjWFiyMK317BaSPDDR1u007M8sLGKoP1aIIlOK1ttmFwq_TwNqHgUkFOstD3LxU2TceQnkP2Cjz7MTdNuLqNiu9u&sig=AHIEtbT5HMwf_sH8LcD7zryTqxQ85zEWZA 7. Keating, M. (2001). Clean Air Task Force. Cradle to Grave: The Environmental Impacts from Coal. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from : http://www.catf.us/resources/publications/files/Cradle_to_Grave.pdf 8. Singhal, R. (2000). Environmental Issues and management of waste in energy and mineral production. Taylor and Francis. 9. Technology Status Report. (2000). Fluidized Bed Combustion Systems for Power Generation and Other Industrial Applications. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from : http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:WGsAK185K3YJ:www.berr.gov.uk/files/file19290.pdf+Fluidized-bed+combustion+%2B+america+power+sector&hl=en&gl=in&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShZkF8Yd_P0Vlozeg_LhNWn4mVgF67N0PtzZbfwM9USZzA4ciDMl18Loau3ilhr8ZNlycEjss_fqDKpCvmGaIKgsgph21ChMICUZFJ8sMc6hhA2qKIg2xFuTgbAvUnrxS3AX4dX&sig=AHIEtbTrogjs5znl_sgl8l3DdDjxmrXGHA 10. Weidenbaum, M. (October, 2002). Feature Article. Meeting America’s Future Energy Needs. Retrieved on September 9, 2010 from : http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf17_20/pdf/2003/STY/01Jul03/18673682.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=18673682&S=R&D=aph&EbscoContent=dGJyMNLe80Seprc40dvuOLCmr0ieprBSsqa4TbWWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGstE%2BvqrJMuejjhe3q41Pj3u2L8gAA Read More