Helena Joyce
The decline of the coal industry has been attributed to a variety of factors, including the increasing availability of cheaper and cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas, solar, and wind power. Additionally, advances in technology and automation have led to increased productivity, reducing the need for coal mining jobs. In an attempt to revive the industry and bring back coal jobs, some politicians have proposed cutting environmental regulations, such as the Stream Protection Rule, which aims to protect streams near coal mines. However, it is important to note that the impact of environmental regulations on the coal industry has been overstated, and eliminating these regulations could have negative consequences for the environment, including polluting streams and other waterways, as coal mining and burning have been linked to air and water pollution, climate change, and negative health outcomes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for polluting streams | To bring back coal jobs by cutting environmental regulations |
| Political affiliation | Republicans |
| Regulations targeted | Stream Protection Rule, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPA rules |
| Impact of pollution on streams | Water contamination, destruction of wildlife habitats, health issues, climate change |
| Coal job decline causes | Productivity gains, financial markets, cheaper alternatives, automation |
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What You'll Learn
Mountaintop removal mining and valley fills
Mountaintop removal mining involves removing the forest, topsoil, and overlying bedrock using explosives and heavy machinery to gain direct access to deeper coal seams. This process can remove up to 400 vertical feet (120 meters) of the mountain, and the excess rock and soil are dumped into nearby valleys, creating "holler fills" or "valley fills". The use of explosives and the removal of vegetation can have significant environmental impacts, including decreasing soil infiltration rates, terrestrial habitat, and carbon sequestration, increasing runoff and sediment weathering, and altering hydrology, geochemistry, and ecosystem health.
Valley fills have been associated with increased water pollution and decreased aquatic biodiversity. Streams near valley fills have been found to contain higher levels of minerals, increased concentrations of sulfate, iron, aluminum, and manganese, and decreased aquatic biodiversity. The burial of headwater streams by valley fills can also cause the permanent loss of ecosystems, impacting the ecological processes and the health of surrounding communities.
The use of mountaintop removal mining and valley fills has been controversial due to its environmental impacts. In 2017, the Trump administration repealed the valley-fill protections installed by the Obama Administration, removing restrictions on dumping mining waste into streams and waterways. However, there have been efforts to address the environmental and health impacts of this mining practice, such as the H.R. 2050 bill, which proposed a suspension on permitting for mountaintop removal coal mining until health studies were conducted.
While mountaintop removal mining and valley fills can provide access to coal seams, it is important to consider the potential environmental, ecological, and health consequences associated with this mining practice. The decline in coal jobs has been attributed to various factors, including productivity gains, financial markets, and the transition to cleaner sources of energy. Efforts to bring back coal jobs by cutting environmental regulations may have unintended consequences and may not effectively address the underlying causes of the decline in coal mining employment.
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Streams and water quality
The water quality of streams is also affected by coal mining and power plants. Coal-fired power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash annually, with more than half of this waste ending up in ponds, lakes, and landfills. Over time, this ash can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies. Acid rock drainage from coal mines and the release of toxins and pollutants during coal burning further degrade water quality.
Additionally, coal mining and power plants impact the wildlife in and around streams. Scientists have observed a decline in species diversity and population numbers in streams affected by coal mining. Selenium pollution in water has been linked to a decrease in sensitive fish populations and deformities in fish and birds. The concentration of pollutants in animals can increase as they move up the food chain, posing risks to higher-level predators, including humans.
To address water quality issues, the Clean Water Act requires industries to reduce pollutants released into water bodies. Efforts such as scrubbers and flue gas desulfurization equipment help reduce sulfur and other impurities from coal. Reclaiming and restoring mining sites can also help mitigate the impacts on water quality and ecosystems.
While there have been efforts to revive coal production and bring back coal mining jobs, it is important to recognize that the decline in the coal industry is attributed to various factors beyond environmental regulations. Technological advancements, the abundance of cheaper and cleaner energy sources, and basic economics have all contributed to the shift away from coal.
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Environmental regulations
However, this narrative of a "war on coal" has been criticised, with some arguing that it is an oversimplification of the issue. The economic, political, and geological forces promoting cheaper and cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas and renewable energy, are seen as the primary drivers of the coal industry's challenges. Basic economics and international concern about climate change have made it difficult for coal to compete with these alternative energy sources.
The Clean Air Act of 1970, signed into law by Richard Nixon, is one of the key environmental regulations impacting the coal industry. This law imposed significant restrictions on sulfur emissions from new coal-fired power plants. While the demand for electricity in the 1970s created a boom in coal-fired power plants, the Clean Air Act still played a role in shaping the energy landscape.
Another significant regulation is the Stream Protection Rule, which was updated in December 2016 as part of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). This rule aimed to protect streams near coal mines, addressing the issue of water contamination from coal mining activities. However, it was cancelled by Congress soon after its implementation, as it was viewed as a burdensome" regulation by the coal industry.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also been a target of criticism from the coal industry and its supporters. They argue that the EPA's regulations, such as the Clean Power Plan and the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act, have negatively impacted coal production. However, the impact of the EPA on the decline of the coal industry has been debated, with some arguing that dismantling the EPA or removing its regulations would not significantly revive the industry.
In summary, while environmental regulations have played a role in shaping the energy landscape and addressing the environmental impacts of coal production, they are not solely responsible for the decline of coal jobs. The narrative of a "war on coal" due to environmental regulations oversimplifies the issue, as economic and technological factors have also played a significant role in the transition away from coal towards cleaner and more affordable energy sources.
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Stream protection rules
In the United States, the Stream Protection Rule (SPR) was proposed by the Department of the Interior in 2021. This rule sought to update three-decade-old regulations to address the impacts of coal mining on surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The SPR aimed to incorporate modern science, technology, and mining practices to prevent pollution and environmental degradation. It required companies to avoid mining practices that permanently pollute streams, destroy drinking water sources, increase flood risk, and threaten forests. Additionally, the SPR mandated the restoration of streams and the replanting of native vegetation in mined areas.
The SPR was developed through a transparent public process, engaging with communities affected by coal mining. It aimed to balance environmental protection with meeting the nation's energy needs and supporting economic opportunities for coalfield communities. The rule also provided regulatory certainty for the mining industry, outlining clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining.
The Stream Protection Rule was an update to the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and its subsequent regulations. Despite the existence of SMCRA, coal mining operations continued to impact streams, fish, and wildlife. The SPR aimed to address these issues by preserving water quality and quantity for future generations.
While some have argued that environmental regulations, such as the SPR, hinder the coal industry and contribute to job losses, others attribute the decline of the coal industry to factors such as productivity gains, the rise of natural gas, and the increasing affordability of cleaner energy sources. Nonetheless, the SPR and similar regulations are crucial for safeguarding communities and the environment from the long-term effects of coal mining and combustion.
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Air pollution
Burning coal releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, which have severe health and environmental impacts.
Coal-fired power plants emit mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. Mercury, for example, can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and is a serious threat to child development. Just 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury deposited in a 25-acre lake can contaminate the fish and make them unsafe to eat. Sulfur dioxide is linked with asthma, bronchitis, smog, and acid rain, which damages crops and other ecosystems, and acidifies lakes and streams. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses. Particulates contribute to smog, haze, respiratory illnesses, and lung disease.
In 2014, the US coal power fleet emitted 41.2 tons of lead, 9,332 pounds of cadmium, 576,185 tons of carbon monoxide, 22,124 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOC), and 77,108 pounds of arsenic.
Coal-fired power plants are a major source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, which is associated with an increased risk of death. Research has found that for every 1 μg/m3 increase in coal PM2.5, mortality increased by 1.12%. This is more than twice the risk that was previously associated with general PM2.5 exposure from all air pollution sources.
In addition to the health impacts, air pollution from coal-fired power plants also contributes to global warming and climate change, which in turn puts pressure on health services.
To combat these issues, carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) are emerging as a potential solution. CCS allows coal plants to capture CO2, which can then be transported and stored in a geological repository without harming the earth's climate. However, this technology is still expensive and unproven at the scale needed to address climate change.
The Clean Air Act and other environmental laws require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to set and enforce emissions limits. As a result of these regulations, air pollution-related deaths have decreased. However, many plants still lack the necessary pollution controls, and continued reduction of coal emissions is necessary to improve health outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
It doesn't. The decline in coal jobs is due to a variety of factors, including increased productivity, the availability of cheaper and cleaner energy sources, and financial markets viewing coal as a risky investment. However, some politicians have proposed bringing back coal jobs by cutting environmental regulations, including those that protect streams.
Coal mining can have devastating effects on the environment, including streams. Mountaintop removal mining, for example, involves using explosives to remove the tops of mountains, and the resulting rock and dirt can be dumped into adjacent river valleys, burying headwater streams. This can lead to critical losses in wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and natural benefits such as nutrient regulation and flood control. Water contamination from coal mining can also result in a decline in the number of species present and an increase in deformities in fish and birds.
Coal mining can affect water quality in several ways. Coal-fired power plants produce large amounts of coal ash, which can end up in ponds, lakes, and landfills, contaminating waterways and drinking water supplies. Acid rock drainage from coal mines and the release of toxins and pollutants during coal burning can also impact water quality.
Coal pollution has been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and neurological problems. Worldwide, exposure to air pollution from coal-fired power stations contributed to millions of deaths in 2020.
