Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
the states east of the Mississippi River (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky), but the states
west of the Mississippi and in the South are also home to important reserves. Coal
from the Great Plains has a high sulfur content, which makes it less useful for the
metallurgical industry and very polluting since the combustion of this coal promotes
the creation of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere which is responsible for acid rain.
Its production has still increased due to the insatiable appetite of Americans for
electricity, and the need of fossil-fuel power plants for the production of coal. Since
1970, increased awareness of the issue of pollution has favored the exploitation of
coal in the West, and more specifically, of bituminous coal - which has a low sulfur
content - from Wyoming and Montana. This type of coal is well suited to the needs
of electricity since it releases relatively little ash. Insignificant in 1970, the
production from these two states has grown rapidly to over 400 million tons in 2001,
and today accounts for almost 40% of national production. Although Wyoming is
today the leading state for production, the largest reserves are in Montana. Together,
the proven reserves of the two states represent 37% of the national total. The United
States also has lignite reserves located primarily in the state of North Dakota.
Coal mining is an important element of society in regions where it is extracted.
Coal has long dominated the Appalachian economy, at great cost to human and
ecological life. Accidents, silicosis, unemployment, low wages, education levels
well below the national average, land destroyed by strip mining, water pollution, and
acid rain are just a few of its consequences. The Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977 required companies to pledge funds for environmental
restoration after the cessation of mining activities, before they could even obtain a
permit to begin exploitation. Ever since the Act was passed, it has been contested by
those who argue that the additional costs weaken the regional economy. This is an
example of the debate concerning short-term profits versus the long-term
investments required by sustainable development.
After suffering decades of agricultural abandonment, Wyoming and Montana see
the coal boom, which is also an oil and gas boom, as an opportunity for economic
salvation. The effect of 150 years of exploitation on the Appalachian plateau,
however, makes environmentalists skeptical about the long-term benefits of this new
economic specialization.
Today, coal supplies nearly 23% of energy currently consumed in the US. It is
the only source of fossil energy for which production exceeds consumption and for
which proven reserves are substantial. It is also, unfortunately, the fuel which
pollutes the most, and it contributes heavily to the production of greenhouse gases.
Coal liquefaction and gasification technologies are being researched today as it is
likely that they would be cleaner sources of energy.
