Less than 3% of former surface mine sites are developed
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| Students from NKU visiting a reclaimed mine site near Montgomery Creek in Perry County |
The Lexington Herald-Leader published an interesting article this weekend citing evidence that very few surface mining sites actually get developed once all the coal has left the ground. Data from this article flies in the face of the coal industry's propaganda that Eastern KY has an insatiable need for the flat land that comes from large surface mining and mountaintop removal sites.
Bill Estep reports:
HAZARD — As attacks on mountaintop-removal mining in Appalachia have grown increasingly sharp, the coal industry and its supporters have defended the practice by saying that reclaimed mine areas provide flat land for development in a place where level sites are scarce.
However, development was planned for less than 3 percent of the roughly half-million acres of land covered by surface-mining permits in Kentucky over the last decade, according to state data.
That amounts to less than 14,000 acres scheduled to be reclaimed for commercial, residential, industrial or recreational development, data from the Kentucky Division of Mine Permits shows.
Government Subsidies for Windmills
A report detailing the workings of windmills in West Virginia.
Does anyone else get the feeling that Windmills are not the solution? Ive spent way to much time reading about the industry over the last 10 days and the negatives outweigh the positives by a ton! The technology doesnt exist to adequately use Wind for power. Plus some of the issues that KFTC and other environmental groups are fighting the coal companies on (Indiana Bats, Health Problems and Destruction of Hills/Mountains) still exist. Not to mention the whole job issue!
Lets move onto solar energy next, sound good?
Todd

Look here for news of mine safety issues.

Propaganda!
Here's a suggestion, lets look at how well wind energy is working for other parts of the country. Ive posted some pictures and links that pertain to wind energy.
http://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=9
http://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=10
http://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=87
http://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=88
http://www.stopillwind.org/lowerlevel.php?content=topten_intro
http://www.keepersoftheblueridge.com/faqs.html
Todd