19.8 Understanding The Issue

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Question 19.1

Which of the following is NOT true about coal?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 19.2

The purpose of mountaintop removal is to:

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 19.3

Emissions from a coal-fired power plant include all of the following EXCEPT:

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 19.4

How do miners separate coal from rock?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 19.5

How long are coal reserves expected to last in West Virginia?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Question 19.6

Which of the following is an example of reclamation?

A.
B.
C.
D.

WORK WITH IDEAS

Question 19.7

In your own words, describe the process of coal formation. Why is coal a finite resource?

Question 19.8

What are the pros and cons of the two types of surface mining? Include in your answer a comparison of the extraction process, the energy return on energy investment (including external costs), and the waste-disposal process.

Question 19.9

Define and describe the process of carbon capture and sequestration. Why is this process necessary? What are the costs and benefits of the process?

Question 19.10

What are the environmental consequences of surface mining? Use specific examples from the chapter.

Question 19.11

Describe the process of subsurface mining. What are the costs and benefits? Why do some miners prefer a subsurface mine to a surface mine, while mining companies prefer surface mines?

Question 19.12

Define reclamation. Explain why, in your own words, reclamation is a controversial idea. Are there examples in which reclamation has succeeded?