Effects of Coal Mining on Western Pennsylvania

1
Effects of Coal Mining on Western Pennsylvania

• A look at the history of mining in the region,
  its current effects on the environment, and what
  is being done.

2
PA Coal Distribution
3
Methods of Coal Mining
4
PA Coal Production, 1890-2000
5
Net Generation of Electricity by Fuel for PA

• 1990
• 1995-1999

6
Coal Used for Electricity Generation in PA, 1999
7
Coal Usage Comparison - United States and PA

• The U.S total use of coal for electricity was
  about 50 in 1999.
• The U.S. total use of natural gas for electricity
  was around 15 in 1999, while PAs was only about
  1-2.
• U.S. total use of hydroelectric power was much
  higher than that of PA.
• PA needs to consider other energy production
  methods

8
General Facts About Air Quality and Coal
Production

• Pollution caused by coal-fired power plants has
  increased more than 15 since 1992.
• More than 150 million Americans live in
  communities with unhealthy air.
• Coal produces approximately two times the amount
  of carbon dioxide as natural gas, and a third
  more CO2 per unit of heat than oil.
• Coal-fired utility units identified as largest
  source of mercury in the United States, releasing
  approximately 50 tons of mercury annually.

9
Average Yearly Pollution Generated by a Typical
Coal Plant

• 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)
• 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2)
• 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx)
• 220 tons of hydrocarbons
• 225 pounds of arsenic

10
Current Air Quality Pittsburgh, PA

• AIRNow - Air Quality Conditions Forecasts -
  Pittsburgh, PA
• www.airnow.gov
• www.epa.gov
• www.eia.doe.gov

11
Water Pollution

• Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) results from the
  formation of sulfuric acid in the oxidation of
  iron-sulfide minerals such as pyrite. Pyrite can
  be found in the coal seam, shale, and sandstone
  strata adjacent to coal beds. When coal is mined
  the Pyrite is exposed to oxygen and water and
  forms ferrous sulfate and sulfuric acid.

12
Acid Mine Damage

• Water quality is severely degraded as a result of
  AMD.
• AMD precipitates are toxic to aquatic plants,
  invertebrates, and fish. AMD causes depressed
  food supplies, gill clogging, general smothering,
  and toxicity from ingested metals.

13
Costs of AMD

• The cost to clean up abandoned mine sites
  currently associated with AMD is upwards of 5
  billion dollars. To clean up all the abandoned
  mines in Pennsylvania the cost is upwards of 15
  billion dollars.
• Pennsylvania currently receives 19 million
  dollars a year from the Federal Office of Surface
  Mining to correct abandoned mine problems.

14
Human Cost of Coal Mining

• Not only environment is hurt by coal mining.
  There are large humans costs associated with
  mining as well.
• July/August 2002- Somerset County, PA. Nine
  miners were trapped in a flooded mine shaft for
  77 hours.
• Chances for mine collapse, flooding or explosion

15
Health Costs

• Black Lung- condition caused by continued
  inhalation of coal dust. Coal dust inflames,
  scars, and discolors lungs, and leads to
  debilitating decline in lung function.
• Coal particulates penetrate deep into the lungs.
  Prolonged inhalation causes a vast array of
  respiratory and cardiovascular problems i.e.
  emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer, and
  heart disease.
• Coal particulates have also been linked to higher
  infant mortality rates.

16
Additional Health Costs

• Sulfur dioxide exposure is associated with
  increased hospitalization and death from
  pulmonary and heart disease
• The pollutants from coal mining/burning caused
  the coal smog that killed 2,200 people in
  London in 1880, the killer fog that caused 50
  deaths in Donora, PA in 1948, and the London
  fog that took 4,000 lives in 1952.

17
What is being done to lessen the impacts of
mining on PA?

• As with many other environmental issues, more
  government regulation essential.
• Public knowledge and awareness is another
  important aspect of fixing the mining problem.
• Organizations such as the EPA are trying to
  increase public awareness about environmental
  issues and are also working for more government
  restrictions.