Coal mining

About 60% of U.S. coal is stripped from the earth in surface mines; the rest comes from underground mines. Surface coal mining may dramatically alter the landscape. Coal companies throughout Appalachia often remove entire mountain tops to expose the coal below. The wastes are generally dumped in valleys and streams.

In West Virginia, more than 300,000 acres of hardwood forests (half the size of Rhode Island) and 1,000 miles of streams have been destroyed by this practice.

Underground mining is one of the most hazardous of occupations, killing and injuring many in accidents, and causing chronic health problems.

CLEAN ENERGY – the alternative to Global Warming and Greenhouse Emissions

Energy efficiency cuts energy use and saves consumers money
Renewable energy provides clean, sustainable electricity
Biofuels supply cleaner fuel for cars

America can meet its growing energy needs through current technologies that are cleaner and more sustainable than using dirty fossil fuel technologies. With the right policies in place, American ingenuity will produce the next generation of renewable technologies and energy-saving products. http://www.nrdc.org/coal/