Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

As part of mountaintop removal operations, the mining companies dump their coal mining waste. This process coupled with lack of enforcement and immoral interpretation of existing standards, e.g., the Bush administration’s 2002 manipulation of the stream buffer rule, “has jammed and sullied an estimated 2,000 miles of streams in the Appalachian mountain region headwaters and waterways.” “1,400 miles of streams have been directly impacted by coal mining waste in Kentucky alone,” reports Jeff Biggers.

Photos available

Mountaintop removal coal mining is the most destructive coal extraction process, where mountains are clear cut, blasted with tons of pounds of dynamite, then the “overburden”, or what used to be the mountain, is shoved into the streams carrying much of our nation’s freshest source of water. The coal is then extracted cheaply from what used to be the mountain, leaving a virtual moonscape. This process and the chemicals involved poisons the air and water of surrounding communities, resulting in cancer, asthma, a plethora of other sicknesses, and death.

But, not to fear! The MTR Follies continues into the Fall Season. As protest against mountaintop removal mining spreads across the nation, OSMRE (the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, has filed the DOI’s (Department Of Interior) intention to consider a revision to how the stream buffer rule is interpreted.

The original statute’s intent was to stop mine waste from being dumped within a 100 feet of streams. The Bush administration hijacked the 25-year-old rule. The result: toxic contamination of more watersheds.

“Where is the sound science in two more years of unchecked destruction of the streams,” bewails Biggers. Well, Jeff, you have to understand the lingua franca. Like democracy is code for do-re-mi, “sound science” is technology that makes more profit.

OTOH (On The Other Hand), unsound science is when scientists talk about something, the implications of which may have a negative effect upon obscene profits. An example of unsound science: Simple physics tells us that the way to minimize the human contribution to global warming is to leave the remaining fossil fuels in the ground. The obscene profits of energy companies are compromised if they must stop mining and drilling. So, could you give me an example of sound science?

Hm, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage)?”

Carbon Capture is a Scam

Good guess. however No. No Coal is Clean Coal. CCS is an example of PAU (Politics As Usual). You see, there is no such thing, least ways no proven technology.

Yes, the government keeps putting taxpayers’ money into CCS R&D (Research and Development), but such action really has been more to forestall other substantive action. True, if the technology existed and financial disincentives also existed to discourage energy companies from continuing to dump all those tons of carbon into the atmosphere, then having the technology would be a cost savings, so in a sense a profit, although I fear that the energy companies see it as an unwarranted cost.

Maybe, a better example is IFR (Integral Fast Reactor) technology, whereby we entrust all that nuclear waste with which we don’t know what to do, to the energy companies to use as fuel, making a waste product with which really won’t know what to do. Think of all that profit made by construction companies. Think of all that good, cheap American Power. Doesn’t that make you feel proud to be a Washington Theater goer?

No longer can we claim ignorance. Denial equates to death on a planetary scale.

Oh, BTW (By The Way), did you know that surface mining is a principle means of harvesting oil shale. You see, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar can say, as he did in June, “The steps we are taking today are a firm departure from the previous administration’s approach to mountaintop coal mining, which failed to protect our communities, water and wildlife in Appalachia.” Those steps indeed may come about, quite possibly near the next presidential election in time to get out the Dupe Vote.

Don’t you mean, The Youth Vote?

Whatever… Meanwhile, the Secretary of Interior approves the opening of more public land for the surface mining of oil shale. Badda-Bing-Badda-Boom.

“Another PAU example?”

Now you’re catching on.

What a damned disgrace! Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement nominee: Mr. let them eat coal ash himself! (iflizwerequeen.com)

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