| Coal Commitment to the Environment |
Why has the demand gone up?
A) Electricity generation has increased 140% between 1970-1999.
B) Same period, U.S. population has increased 349%
Air Quality
During the same period (1970-1999), America's electric utility industry spent $40 Billion on cleaner burning coal technology. They spent another $5 Billion a year on overall environmental improvements.
Benefit and Cost Analysis
The benefit from this cost imposed by the 1970 Clean Air Act. Between 1970 and 1998, the rate of emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) and particulate matter (PM-10) has dropped. The SO2 emission rate has dropped 70%. The NOX emission rate has dropped 48%. The PM-10 emission rate has dropped 94%.
New technologies coming online now will reduce emissions even further while improving efficiency, thus further reducing emissions- more go from your coal and its getting cleaner.
By meeting or exceeding the reduction rates established most recently by the federal government, we lead the way toward a cleaner environment.
To date, 600 electric utilities have pledged to, "avoid or sequester 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 2000-That's more than four times the established goal of the 1993 federal regulations.
Electric utilities lead all U. S. industries in taking voluntary actions. 20% of all U.S. (other than electric utilities) money spent on eliminating greenhouse gases.
80% of all money spent on clean air technologies is spent by the electric utility industry- Dept. of Industry.
One example- Utility companies spend millions for reforestation projects that will remove millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The U.S. mining industry generates over $500 billion in total economic benefit each year and helps sustain nearly 3 million jobs. Electricity--
By 2020 U.S. electricity consumption will be 40% greater than today. 88% of coal mined in America is used by electric utilities. Coal makes up 90% of the U.S. domestic energy reserve. -With a supply based on current consumption of 250 more years.
Need Cost Comparison
E.P.A says $150 Billion spent annually on pollution abatement and control. Coal and electric generators pay 1/3 of that amount.
¼ of 1 percent of U.S. has been affected by all the mining error to occur here .
80 percent of all surface mining in Virginia is on previously mined land and reclaimed to today's modern standards.
Since 1978, over 2 million acres of previously mined land has been restored to its original or better condition, as well as over 100,000 of abandoned mined land that has never been reclaimed.
In the past 25 years- major air pollutant have decreased nationally by 30 percent our gross domestic product has increased by 100% and our population has increased by 30%. For example- Lead levels decreased 78%. Sulfur dioxide levels decreased 37%. Smog concentrations decreased 6%. Carbon monoxide concentrations decreased 37%.
Coal used by electric utilities has increased from 320 million tons in 1970 to 875 million tons in 1995.
During the same period, atmospheric levels of particulates from fossil fuel combustion dropped more than 60%.
How did you do that?
- Better cleaning of coal preparation plants and mine sites.
- Using clean coal technologies
- Using more low sulfur coal.
- Sometimes it is as simple as blending different types of coal with different sulfur contents.
For example, in 1970, utilities used 320 million tons of coal with emissions equaling 15.8 millions tons.
In 1995, we used 875 millions and emitted 11.6 millions.
Water: Mining of coal in Virginia and in America can report spectacular successes in streams and groundwater protection often leaving a tributary cleaner below a mine than above.
In Virginia, 80% of all surface mining is on old polluting abandoned mined land. This has and is resulting in an enormous improvements of water quality of in Southwest Virginia.
For example- new techniques use bacteria to eat sulfur, to neutralize acid mine drainage and remediate wetlands.
Federal Regulation
The mining industry is the most highly regulated industry in the world. The following are some of the federal laws governing mining. Keep in mind each state and local government also have laws and regulations that coal mining companies must follow.
National Environmental Policy Act. Federal Land Policy and Management Act Clean Air Act Safe Drinking Water Act Solid Waste Disposal Act Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Disability Act. Toxic Substance Control Act Endangered Species Act. Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Since 1970, domestic coal use has increased more than 2 and a half times while sulfur dioxide emissions have been reduced by 27%.
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