Team 4 – Ext 10 Coal mining Project Ian, Michael, Bruce, Megan, Bryce

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 Reclaimed land must be as useful as the land was before mining. Land is frequently more valuable and useful after mining reclamation.

Coal emissions Coal is being burned more cleanly today than ever before. Air pollution from coal is decreasing, while coal use is increasing. Coal-fired power plants in the U.S. have reduced their sulfur dioxide produced per ton of coal burned by 80% from 1976 to U.S. sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased by 52% from 1976 to 2004, even though power plants increased their coal use by 120% in that time period. These achievements are the result of using lower-sulfur coal and pollution control equipment such as scrubbers. The use of flue gas desulfurization equipment (FGD or scrubbers) has increased dramatically. Coal-fired electric power generation emits around 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt-hour generated, which is almost double the carbon dioxide released by a natural gas-fired electric plant per megawatt-hour generated

Coal emissions effects on the environment CO2 is a greenhouse gas, warming the Earth's surface to a higher temperature by reducing outward radiation. SO2 is a toxic gas with a pungent, irritating aroma, which contributes to acid rain.

Bibliography cts/default.htmhttp:// cts/default.htm