Coal Production In West Virginiaby Dillon Pratertypes Of Energywind En ✓ Solved

Coal Production in West Virginia By Dillon Prater Types of Energy Wind Energy Hydroelectric Energy Solar Energy Geothermal Energy Nuclear Energy Chemical Energy “Energy Sources†There are several sources of energy in the United States including This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY West Virginia #2 in Coal Production Behind Wyoming, West Virginia is the second largest producer of coal in the United States (“West Virginiaâ€). 91% of the West Virginia’s energy is produced from coal-fired power plants (“West Virginiaâ€). Due to the many mountains in the state, mountain top removal for coal production is very popular (“The Coal Mine Next Door, 2018â€). This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC Why do we care?

Coal production and the use of coal for energy has become largely controversial once it was clear of the harmful impacts to the environment (“Coal Explained, 2020â€). Mountain removal involves large explosions. These explosions can pollute streams or completely cover them. This can harm fish species. Pollution can impact water sources.

The kitchen sink, discolored by iron and manganese in water, in a home near a mountaintop removal mine on Coal Mountain in Wyoming County, West Virginia. © 2018 Human Rights Watch Why do we care? Air is polluted with this process and causes respiratory issues for nearby residents. Cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, birth defects in newborns are also common in these areas (“The Coal Mine Next Door, 2018â€). Max Phillips, “Coal Mining†Burning coal is bad. Burning coal is harmful to the environment.

Harmful emissions from the combustion of coal include sulfur dioxide (which is a big contributor to acid rain and respiratory issues), nitrogen oxide (contributes to smog), particulate matter, mercury, fly ash, and carbon dioxide (major greenhouse gas) (“Coal Explained, 2020â€). This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA West Virginia Dependent on Coal Many West Virginian’s rely on coal mining to make a living. The state of West Virginia employs many in the coal industry (Statista). Coal-mining employment in the state of West Virginia from by mine type (Statista). Eliminating Jobs?

Some could debate that cutting down on coal burning and production will eliminate the many jobs that West Virginian’s rely on and have relied on for many years. Could these jobs be replaced by opportunities in renewable energy? Some are not convinced that the switch to renewable energy will be a good fit or cheaper for the state. Could it be cheaper and effective? Making the switch.

Clean energy in West Virginia is very possible. 70% of the state’s energy could be produced by renewable energy over the next 15 years. Coal-fired plants could be phased out and converted to electric plants for renewable energy would be less expensive to maintain and than to keep the coal-fired plants open. This transition to renewable energy would create an additional 1,155 full-time jobs by the year 2030 (“Renewable Energyâ€, 2020). Works Cited “The Coal Mine Next Door.†Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch, 27 May 2020, “Coal Mining.†End Coal, End Coal, endcoal.org/coal-mining/#:~:text=Miners%20are%20also%20directly%20exposed,mining%20is%20acid%20mine%20drainage.

“Energy Sources.†Energy.gov, U.S. Department of Energy, Nostrand, James Van, and Tim Cronin. “WVU Today: Report: Renewable Energy Is Key to West Virginia's Economic Future.†WVU Today | West Virginia University, WVU Today, 14 Dec. 2020, wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2020/12/14/report-renewable-energy-is-key-to-west-virginia-s-economic-future. “U.S.

Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.†Coal and the Environment - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 1 Dec. 2020, “U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.†West Virginia - State Energy Profile Overview - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), HIS 104B (9am class) – World Civilization II EXAM 3 (FINAL) - Spring 2021 NAME: [TYPE NAME HERE] I.

Short Identification Terms (8 pts. each/40 pts. total; 40% of overall grade) Select FIVE of the following terms. In about 3-5 sentences, contextualize (in place & time) and identify the significance of each term you select BASED ON CLASS LECTURES & THE ASSIGNED READINGS . A) Congress of Vienna D) Otto Von Bismarck G) Treaty of Versailles I) Totalitarianism B) Early Socialism E) Von Schlieffen Plan H) Mein Kampf J) Battle of El Alamein C) Communist Manifesto F) Zimmerman Telegram ID 1. The term identified below is _________________________. IDs 2.

The term identified below is _________________________. IDs 3. The term identified below is _________________________. IDs 4. The term identified below is _________________________.

IDs 5. The term identified below is _________________________. II. Essay (60 pts.; 60% of overall grade) Write as much as possible in your essay response BASED ON CLASS LECTURES & THE ASSIGNED READINGS . Your answer must consistent of a MINIMUM of 3 paragraphs .

Age of Progress and Modern Consciousness & Imperialism (Chapters 23 & 24): a. Identify the four (4) products that drove the Second Industrial Revolution and the creators/inventors that we associated with each; b. Describe the effect of Darwinism on ideologies of the late 19th century (specifically, Social Darwinism, extreme nationalism, volkish/racist leaders, and anti-Semitism); c. Can you connect the ideologies referenced in b. above and the causes of New Imperialism between 1880 and 1900 ? How was this form of imperialism justified?

1 World Civilization – HIS 104 Spring 2021 THIRD (FINAL) EXAM (Chapters 21-27) Short Identification (40% of exam grade) : The exam itself will consist of 5 short identification terms which you will choose from a bank of 10 terms (8 points per term). You should thoroughly identify each term, including its historical context and significance drawn from class lectures, its date or timeframe, and its geographical setting (as applicable). Essay Question : One of the three essay questions outlined below will be chosen for the exam. Your answer must be thorough, contain (at minimum) three full paragraphs , and must display a knowledge and understanding of the themes, events, and significant connections from the class lectures and applicable assigned readings.

No Outside Sources : You may ONLY use your own individual notes taken from the class lecture materials. Violation of this rule will be deemed plagiarism and will result in a zero (0) final exam grade. Additionally, this is NOT a group project! It is an exam to be taken individually. Cheating is defined in the Student Handbook and under University Policy 2.19, and the penalties for breach of the university’s policy on Academic Integrity will be upheld in this class.

Additional penalties may be imposed by the Academic Honors Board. Some of these penalties could affect any scholarships you may receive or could affect your athletic and other extracurricular participation. “How Can I Do Better on the Essay?†: Use the comments provided on prior exams. Remember that a really good essay can take the prompts and use them to make more connections to the lecture materials and the readings as a whole. You are also encouraged to make references and connections across the chapters and to incorporate what you have learned from the assigned readings.

1. Ideologies of the 19th Century & Age of Nationalism (Chapters 21 & 22): a. Describe each of the following ideologies that emerged in the 19th century & why each ideology emerged when it did - Conservatism, Liberalism, and Nationalism (be sure to provide examples of each and some of the leaders/thinkers who influenced these ideas); b. What was Early Socialism and how did it differ from Marxism (or Marxian Socialism) (be sure to provide examples along with leaders/thinkers for each)? and c. Describe the impact of Nationalism within the context of German unification and how it affected the balance of power in Europe.

2. Age of Progress and Modern Consciousness & Imperialism (Chapters 23 & 24): a. Identify the four (4) products that drove the Second Industrial Revolution and the creators/inventors that we associated with each; b. Describe the effect of Darwinism on ideologies of the late 19th century (specifically, Social Darwinism, extreme nationalism, volkish/racist leaders, and anti-Semitism); c. Can you connect the ideologies referenced in b. above and the causes of New Imperialism between 1880 and 1900 ?

How was this form of imperialism justified? 3. World War I and Inter-War Years (Chapters 25 & 26): a. Describe the long-range and short-range causes of World War I; b. Can you explain how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the policy of “appeasement†failed to prevent another world war; and c.

Describe the characteristics of totalitarianism and its rise following World War I and compare and contrast Fascism, Nazism, and Communism. 21-Ideologies of 19th Century (-Modern Consciousness & Imperialism (-Interwar Years () Congress of Vienna (1815) Modern Consciousness Totalitarianism Conservatism (Burke) New Science (post Darwin) 1-Fascist Italy Early Liberalism (Mill) New Physics & Pierre/Marie Curie Mussolini & Black Shirts Nationalism (Mazzini) Theory of relativity & Einstein 2-Nazi Germany Early Socialism (Fourier, Owen) Irrationality & Nietzsche National Socialist GR Workers’ Party Darwinism (Darwin) Psychoanalysis & Freud Hilter & Mein Kampf On the Origin of Species (1859) Propaganda – Joseph Goebbels Descent of Man (1871) Impact of Darwinism on Race Nuremberg Laws Social Darwinism (Spencer) 1-Social Darwinism Night of Broken Glass Marxian Socialism 2-Extreme Nationalism 3-Stalinist USSR Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels 3-Racism & Volkish Leaders Great Purge & Collectivization Communist Manifesto (1848) Houston Stewart Chamberlain 4-Francoist Spain 4-Anti-Semitism (Zionism) 22-Age of Nationalism (-World War II () Eastern Question New Imperialism () Munich Conf. & Appeasement Crimean War ( Causes of New Imperialism GR-USSR Nonaggression Pact 2 Conseq. of Crimean War 1-Militarism Greater East Asia Co-Pro Italy Unification (-Social Darwinism & Racism Pearl Harbor, Dec.

7, 1941 Germany Unification (-Cultural Imperialism Poland, Sept. 1, 1939 Otto Von Bismarck - Realpolitik 4-Humanitarianism Blitzkrieg (1940) Dunkirk & Battle of Britain 23-Age of Progress (-World War I () Main Products 2nd Ind. Rev. 4 Long-Range Causes Invasion of USSR (1941) Henry Bessemer – steel 2 Short-Range Causes-June 28, 1914 North Africa Campaign Michael Faraday – electricity Von Schlieffen Plan Gottlieb Daimler – comb. engine Types of New Technology in WWI Turning Point Battles () Time Managt. – Frederick Taylor Trench Warfare Midway/Coral Sea– 1st 8 Evidences of Mass Society Bolshevik Revolution (1917) El Alamein– 2nd Zimmerman Telegram (1917) Stalingrad–3rd Paris Peace Conference (1919) Rome & D-Day ( Differing Goals of Big Three Operation Overlord Treaty of Versailles (1919) VE Day (May 7, 1945) Manhattan Project VJ Day (August 15, 1945) Holocaust & Other Holocaust Mobilization of Women

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

West Virginia has long been recognized as a critical player in the coal production narrative of the United States. As the second-largest producer of coal after Wyoming, the state derived approximately 91% of its energy from coal-fired power plants (U.S. Energy Information Administration [EIA], 2020). The reliance on coal in West Virginia has created both economic opportunities and significant environmental challenges. The state's mountainous geography and the prevalent method of mountaintop removal mining pose severe threats to local ecosystems and human health, leading to a contentious debate on the future of energy production in West Virginia. In this paper, I will explore the implications of coal reliance, its environmental consequences, the economic contributions of coal mining to West Virginia, and the potential transition towards renewable energy sources.

The Economic Significance of Coal in West Virginia

Coal has been a bedrock of West Virginia's economy for decades. The mining industry has provided thousands of jobs to residents, and many families in the region have historically depended on coal for their livelihood. According to Statista (2020), coal mining employment constitutes a substantial portion of the state's labor force. However, the addictive quality of coal mining has led to an economy overly reliant on a single resource, making it vulnerable to market fluctuations and regulatory pressures surrounding environmental concerns.
Despite the robust economic role coal plays, there is growing recognition that this dependency poses long-term risks. As national policies shift towards cleaner energy production, many fear that cutting down on coal burning and production could result in job losses. Critics argue that such cuts could eliminate many of the jobs that West Virginians rely on (Nostrand & Cronin, 2020). Advocates of transitioning to renewable energy argue, however, that new job opportunities could arise in better, cleaner sectors. For instance, researchers speculate that a shift towards renewable energy sources could result in approximately 1,155 additional full-time jobs by 2030 (Renewable Energy, 2020).

Environmental Concerns Associated with Coal Mining

While coal production supports jobs and the economy, it comes with environmental repercussions that can no longer be ignored. Mountaintop removal, a predominant mining technique in West Virginia, involves blasting the tops off mountains to extract coal. This mining practice has devastating impacts on landscapes and ecosystems. Explosions associated with mountaintop removal extract soil and rock, which can contaminate streams and watersheds, harming aquatic life (Human Rights Watch, 2020). Water pollution has been linked to health issues, including increased rates of respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and even birth defects among local populations (The Coal Mine Next Door, 2018).
Moreover, burning coal contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The combustion process releases numerous harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, mercury, and carbon dioxide—all of which have been implicated in climate change and public health crises (Coal Explained, 2020). West Virginia residents, particularly those living near coal mines, often suffer from an array of health issues stemming from particulate matter and other harmful pollutants. Thus, the question arises: is the economic reliance on coal justifiable considering its impact on community health and the environment?

The Impact of Renewables and the Future of Energy in West Virginia

As climate change intensifies and natural resources deplete, West Virginia has the opportunity to transition to renewable energy sources. Indeed, many researchers and energy analysts argue that implementing renewable energy technologies could be economically viable for West Virginia. Studies suggest that the state could produce up to 70% of its energy from renewable sources within the next 15 years (Nostrand & Cronin, 2020). This transition could involve converting existing coal-fired power plants into sites for solar, wind, or even geothermal energy generation.
One significant challenge lies in ensuring that workers in coal-related industries are not left behind in this transition. Investment in training programs and educational initiatives will be crucial to prepare the coal workforce for employment in the renewable sector. Furthermore, the state could take advantage of federal subsidies and policies that emphasize clean energy as part of a broader economic strategy.
There are concerns among citizens that renewable energy will not be as cost-effective or reliable as coal. However, studies indicate that the maintenance costs associated with renewable energy plants are significantly lower compared to coal-fired power plants (Renewable Energy, 2020). Furthermore, the market for renewable energy is rapidly expanding, making it a competitive force against traditional energy sources. This opens up avenues for economic growth without the adverse environmental effects associated with coal mining and combustion.

Conclusion

The coal industry has shaped West Virginia's economic and cultural landscape; however, the harmful environmental and health ramifications cannot be overlooked. As public awareness regarding climate change continues to grow, it is imperative for West Virginia to consider a transition to renewable energy sources. By investing in creative solutions for job displacement, advancing technologies that foster cleaner energy production, and proactively addressing environmental consequences, the state has a unique opportunity to redefine its energy future. The path ahead may prove challenging, but embracing renewable energy can lead to a sustainable, economically viable, and healthier West Virginia.

References

1. Coal Explained. (2020). U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved from [EIA](https://www.eia.gov/coal/)
2. Human Rights Watch. (2020). The Coal Mine Next Door. Retrieved from [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/05/27/coal-mine-next-door)
3. Nostrand, J. V., & Cronin, T. (2020). Report: Renewable Energy Is Key to West Virginia's Economic Future. Retrieved from [WVU Today](https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2020/12/14/report-renewable-energy-is-key-to-west-virginia-s-economic-future)
4. Renewable Energy. (2020). Retrieved from [EIA](https://www.eia.gov/renewable/)
5. Statista. (2020). Coal-mining employment in the state of West Virginia. Retrieved from [Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/280116/coal-mining-employment-in-the-us-by-state/)
6. U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2020). West Virginia - State Energy Profile Overview. Retrieved from [EIA](https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=WV)
7. The Coal Mine Next Door. (2018). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/02/27/coal-mine-next-door)
8. Orenstein, H. (2018). Coal Mining. End Coal. Retrieved from [End Coal](https://endcoal.org/coal-mining/)
9. Department of Energy. (2020). Energy Sources. Retrieved from [Energy.gov](https://www.energy.gov/)
10. Li, Y. (2021). Will the Renewable Energy Revolution Leave Coal Miners Behind? Retrieved from [Smithsonian](https://www.smithsonianmag.com)
This paper presents an overview of the complex relationship between coal production and renewable energy potential in West Virginia, with a focus on job impacts, environmental consequences, and the future of energy production in the region.