Sitting On Coal
Coal stockpiles emit fine particulate pollution in several ways. First, wind blowing over uncovered coal stockpiles results in fugitive coal dust emissions that are a source of PM2. Second, coal stockpiles emit volatile gases that can also lead to formation of PM2.
The Globe and Mail
These processes all generate fine particulates. Coal is also stored on-site at mines and coal export terminals, and roughly 67 percent of it is delivered by train, typically in uncovered freight cars. Barges and trucks carrying coal are also typically uncovered. Though our analysis focused on areas around coal-fired power plants, people living near mines, rail lines or coal export terminals are also likely to experience increases in fine particulate pollution from coal storage and handling.
- Protestors sitting on top of the first train load of coal from the Maules Creek mine;
- Baltiques (French Edition).
- Trespassers On Our Own Land: Structured as an oral history of the Juan P. Valdez family and of the land grants of Northern New Mexico.
- Lesson Plans Brother Odd!
- Acne Explained: Treatment Options!
- Navigation menu.
- Brian Boru: Emperor of the Irish;
Exposure to fine particulate pollution has been linked to increased deaths and illnesses due to cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Economists often are asked to place a dollar value on this pollution-induced increase in mortality rates. For example, in , Congress amended the Clean Air Act to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are major sources of fine particulates. The EPA estimates that these limits will prevent roughly , adult deaths due to fine particles just in the year Overall, EPA calculates that the total benefits from the Clean Air Act Amendments from through exceed the costs of complying with the law by a factor of more than 30 to 1.
Using this same approach, our findings indicate that in addition to the social costs of particulate pollution from burning coal, storage and handling creates PM2.
3 men inside coal mine #2 sitting on coal carts
The coal industry is subject to many environmental regulations. There are laws and rules that address the impacts of current mining operations and abandoned mine sites ; air pollution from coal combustion; and disposal of the ash left over after coal is burned. In contrast, there is no federal legislation explicitly targeting fine particulate emissions from coal storage and handling. However, since this air pollution is quite local, cities and counties can take action to mitigate it instead of relying on state or federal policy. For example, companies have been seeking permission to build coal export terminals on the Pacific coast for several years.
In , Oakland, California banned large-scale transportation of coal through its ports, due in part to concerns over the health impacts of coal dust. Local opponents blocked a proposed terminal in Bellingham, Washington , and are hotly contesting another in Longview.
Even When It’s Sitting in Storage, Coal Threatens Human Health
A relatively low-cost solution would be to simply require railroad companies to cover train cars carrying coal and electricity generation companies to cover coal piles. However, based on the significant levels of local air pollution from coal storage and handling that we have documented in our study, we believe that policymakers should at least explore the costs and benefits of requiring coal piles to be covered.
Opponents of the alleged war on coal often assert that environmental regulations harm the economically disadvantaged communities where coal production occurs. In this case, however, for the disproportionately poor and minority communities who live near coal-burning power plants, our view is that more regulation, rather than less, may be required. Pets in Victorian paintings — Egham, Surrey.
The history of pets and family life — Egham, Surrey. Available editions United Kingdom. One of the firm's mining analysts, Jackie Przybylowski, is giving the nod to Colonial Coal International, with a buy rating, but she's also keeping an eye on Cardero Resource, considered a hold in her opinion.
Desjardins is initiating coverage on the two companies, which have prime assets in B. Przybylowski favours Colonial because it's inexpensively priced and a sitting duck for a takeover. We believe that consolidation will continue, with the current participants in the region being the most likely acquirers," she writes in a recent note to clients. Przybylowski points out in her note that the majors seem to have recognized the quality of properties in the region, and have been snapping them up.
Not all coal stocks are buys. Those producing thermal coal — the type used to generate electricity — have been a disaster because of low natural gas prices and environmental regulations at power plants.
The stuff being hauled out of the ground in BC is so-called "met coal," a higher quality and pricier product mainly used for steel making. There could be some serious money making involved in Colonial, if Ms. Przybylowski is right in her analysis. Its main properties are close to deposits held by Anglo American, which along with Xstrata is considered the most likely acquirer. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way.
Even when it's sitting in storage, coal threatens human health - The Aerosol Society
Click here to subscribe. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters globeandmail. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter. Comments that violate our community guidelines will be removed. Commenters who repeatedly violate community guidelines may be suspended, causing them to temporarily lose their ability to engage with comments. Read our community guidelines here. Article text size A. Open this photo in gallery: Published July 27, Updated April 30,