Comments on: “Clean” coal’s dirtiest secret: Part II

By: George

George — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:00:32 +0000

The argument that you are trying to take claim to in this article seems to not have substantial evidence or even be presented clearly. It seems to me that what this company has done is the right thing and been very successful doing things the right way. If you would like to buy foreign coal and let people in other countries mine it with little set regulations be my guest rather than have it done the right way in the United States, this also provides a good living for a lot of people and it is a shame to see ignorance fall in the way of that. And your understanding of the biological recovery process is obviously poorly understood, after seeing your explanation. I also do not happen to see a hint of factual evidence to any of arguments.
Jesse please inform of the methods mining that are okay with you, a lot of mines are logged, and whose drinking water is this mine polluting?
Lex “So let’s see, mountaintop removal does not really add very many jobs to the local economy, and it burdens the local economy with a ruined environment. Yes, indeed, i see now why it makes so much sense.”
Lex take coal mining away from West Virginia. 60,000 jobs would be lost, 26 billion dollars would be lost from our economy, 3.2 billion of which are wages for West Virginians. And the worst of all the author of this blog would not have anything to complain about.
My father is employed by coal and I am living life through it, when he shuts it down would the author like to pay for my college education and could I come live with him? Oh yeah I hope he has a few rooms for my fellow West Virginians employed by coal to stay in, he also doesn’t know how many industries are situated around the coal industry, and how many people they employ Don’t worry they can come to his house too.
I like facts not a bunch of ridiculous statements. I hope the authors house has power.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:05:59 +0000

I seriously hope that coal companies will find other ways to mine coal from the Appalachian Mountains. I also hope that they will implement those methods. I’m sure other methods of mining can be found. Any pictures I’ve seen of the Appalachians are beautiful. This makes a once awesomely beautiful and diverse ecosystem into utter crap.

Adam, of course mining is okay. Only, certain methods of mining are not okay. Mountain top removal must be stopped. This method of mining hurts another industry which is the logging industry. Not only this, it also hurts the environment and pollutes water sources which I am betting people get drinking water from.

By: Adam Rock

Adam Rock — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:33:27 +0000

I think that mining is fine because my dad is a heavy equipment operator at Rocklick and if yall knock him out of a job that means we loose everything and i also think if yall end mining there is goin to be another war with the coalfieds

By: Scholars and Rogues » Seven Simple Steps to Save Appalachia

Scholars and Rogues » Seven Simple Steps to Save Appalachia — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:52:22 +0000

[...] “Clean” coal’s dirtiest secret: Part II [...]

By: Lex

Lex — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:23:08 +0000

One possible solution to the reclamation issue could be this:

Terra petra is a wonder substance for growing plants (at least it worked real well for the pre-contact Amazonians). It is one step removed from charcoal. Rather than slash and burn, the creation of it can be called slash and char. Several companies are looking into it as a method of carbon sequestering. The clear cut growth could be turned into terra petra and mixed with the topsoil used for reclamation.

It would not solve soil depth issues for trees and shrubs, nor would it negate all the negative effects of mountaintop removal. But i doubt very much that the mining companies will cease the practice so perhaps the best course over the short term is to find an environmentally positive way to alleviate some of the negative impact.

By: Wendy Redal

Wendy Redal — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:21:58 +0000

And in most cases, they don’t even put anything resembling topsoil back on the site. It’ usually just sprayed on agricultural grass seed. By the way, I unapologetically read People in line at the grocery store. I think it’s smart, actually, to keep a finger on the pulse of pop culture, if only to critique it! And I just saw that you sent some bio info! Look forward to reading it next. Thanks.

By: Lex

Lex — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:21:01 +0000

Oddly enough, Larry was the feature on the back page of People not too long ago. (please, don’t ask…it’s only that if words are within my vision i read them, it may be a terrible disease that makes me compulsively read publications like People)

So let’s see, mountaintop removal does not really add very many jobs to the local economy, and it burdens the local economy with a ruined environment. Yes, indeed, i see now why it makes so much sense.

In the best case scenario, topsoil is replaced at the rate of about 1/2 inch per year; moreover, soil ecology is something hardly understood…even by the people who who try. It is an amazingly complex web of microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi. All of these are essential to plant growth, because roots can’t actually take nutrients from the soil directly (they can absorb chemical fertilizers somewhat directly because those enter the soil as salts that readily dissolve in water). They need the soil system to digest the elemental nutrients and present them in ionic form. What i’m getting at is that throwing down a layer of topsoil and putting plants in doesn’t really “replace” what is the essential link in the system.

*Wendy, thank you for the compliment, and as i left Dr. Slammy hanging on the bio side when i submitted the one post i’ve had here i will…as soon as time and access permit…introduce myself via the “contact” link.