The Facts About Alabama's Great Coal Industry, Plus News & Analysis

2010-01-29T22:18:00.000-06:00

Friends of the Earth are Nobody’s Friends

2010-01-29T22:12:00.000-06:00

Activist Fraud and Fund Raising

Who Will Defend Industry from Eco-Terrorism?

2010-01-29T22:09:00.000-06:00

Who Will Defend Industry from Eco-Terrorism?

Greenpeace actions threaten the livelihoods and lives of millions.

2010-01-29T21:46:00.000-06:00

Not Exactly Mother Teresa

2010-01-15T13:57:00.001-06:00

Environmental Radicals threaten Alabama industries & municipalities

A sweeping majority of Alabamians understand this incident shall remain a fanatical publicity stunt. Born from desperation and delusion by people who, I believe, wish to see no development, no dams, no new roads, no home construction, no commerce, no logging, no mining, no power plants, no chicken houses, no cattle farms, no natural gas. no JOBS! Environmentalists excoriate and abhor economic growth, advancement, and progress. It is my opinion their ethos drives up the costs of living, and brings down the ability to grasp opportunities.

You suppose I'm embellishing? Go to the following site and study their "issues" in the drop-down menu. They have a problem with everything!

2010-01-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

Mining Fatalities Fall To All-time Low In 2009.

National Coal Coping with NIMBYism, Accompanied by A Heavy Dose of Extremist Environmental Obstructionism.

2010-01-13T01:04:00.000-06:00

A few observations and questions about the wailing, and rending of garments over the proposed Brushy Pond Coal Mine, if I may.

Not an inconsequential amount of pollution is caused by marine engines, and marinas. There are more than 1,000,000 households in Alabama that have some type of watercraft. I may be proved wrong, but as this increasing, collective, en masse pollution continues, unceasingly, as it has for decades, where is the misplaced self-righteous indignation, where are the petitions to halt boating in our precious lake? I do hope the residents near Brushy Pond have not found their new vigor for environmental obstructionism only when it is in their self-interest. Surely they will soon endorse a moratorium on marine engines and the marinas, for the good of the environment, to save and protect the water quality. Surely they are not participating in selective environmentalism. Pollution is pollution, no matter the scope or size. Just as there being no difference between a white lie, and black one; they're both lies.

The Problem of Marine Engine Pollution;

Environmental Effects of Marinas and Boating Activities;

High toxicity in the water;

Among the greatest contributors of hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) pollution in the United States.

Secondly, where was the three-ring circus, that now belligerently tries to suck the pragmatism, logic, and objectivism from the room, when developers, realtors, speculators, were building, adding-on to, or demolishing to make way for, the nice homes on the lake? Not to mention the infrastructure to get there? Was the community rife with anxiety for the possibility a critical habitat for endangered or threatened plant and animals may have been harmed in the creation of McMansions that dot the lake? Was the construction site continually monitored for environmental prohibitions? Did you plant replacement trees for the ones you destroyed?

Moreover, when you purchased your lot, or existing home, adjacent to, or on top of another surface or mineral owner, did they accuse you of lowering the value of their coal reserves? Did they exclaim that building, and living in a home on top of their minerals, or next door to, could severely inhibit their future plans to exercise their private property rights and mine their natural resources? Did the owners of the surface and mineral rights author letters to the newspapers blanketed with distortions, fear-mongering, and illogical declarations?

If you answered no to all the questions in the prior paragraph, I beseech you to write, or call, your neighbor, or whomever may own the mineral rights beneath your land, and thank them; thank them for respecting your private property rights.

2010-01-12T13:26:00.000-06:00

Bane of Environmentalists' Is Key Component For "Green" Bricks.

2010-01-11T19:16:00.001-06:00

State Legislator Trying To Suspend State's Cap & Trade Law After Experiencing Rough Times.

The law all but encourages outsourcing to Nevada, Texas, China and India.

2010-01-11T14:09:00.000-06:00

Britain's Green Utopia Marred By Reality.

Roadblocks To New Mining; Are We Compromising National Security?

2010-01-11T11:35:00.000-06:00

By Christopher Hopkins
Senior Vice President, Aggregates and Mining, The Saint Consulting Group.

Numerous arguments are made for and against mining. Public debate typically focuses on mining’s impacts on the environment, the economy, the landscape, home values and impacts on communities. Virtually ignored, however, is how the decline in mining in the United States affects national security.

When forced to consider mining’s contributions to national security, most people will identify the usual suspects — oil, natural gas, uranium and coal. All are vitally important.

But it’s time for Americans to consider a different type of mining, what is often referred to as “rare earth” mineral mining. These are some of the world’s most obscure but valuable minerals, 15 elements used in a variety of ways to produce products that are vital to national defense, our economic future, our technological future, and even our environmental future.

The so-called rare earth minerals include such elements as lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium and erbium. These minerals and the other nine are key in the production of essential products used every day. They are key ingredients in everything from the sonar radar used on Navy warships and submarines to the hydride batteries used to run the latest hybrid automobiles.

For example, the magnets required to operate a single wind turbine are composed of two tons of rare earth materials. According to a recent Reuters article, the Toyota Prius is fast becoming the largest user of rare earth minerals in the world. A Prius uses 2.2 pounds of neodymium for lightweight magnets that help power the electric motor, and 22 pounds of lanthanum in the battery. As Toyota seeks to increase productivity and fuel economy, these amounts will double.

China holds 53 percent of the world supply and currently produces 95 percent of the rare earths mined. But in each of the last three years, China has reduced the amount of rare earths that can be exported. Western governments and multinational corporations alike are alarmed by the possibility that China will further restrict exports. The Telegraph of London reported in August that China was considering a total ban on export of several of the rare earth minerals.

Just one active rare earth mineral mine is operating outside China (it’s in Australia). A second mine is scheduled to begin mining in Mountain Pass, California, in 2011. Mountain Pass had been an active mine until the early 1990s when China flooded the mineral market, driving down the price to the point where it was no longer profitable to produce.

Even if China wanted to, it cannot in the near future produce the amount of material that will be required across the globe. In 1999, world demand for these materials was around 40,000 metric tons per year; in 2009, that demand grew to 125,000 metric tons. It is estimated that by the year 2014, demand will be 200,000 metric tons.

China’s virtual monopoly of the rare earth mineral sector allows it to manipulate the pricing structure of these minerals, increasing the revenue flowing into China from around the world and its ability to dominate the world economy.

This is recognized as a real threat to our economy and our ability to transition into the “green economy” that is being touted as the world’s next great economic boom. Jim Sims, president of the Western Business Roundtable, predicted that if China stops its exports, wind turbine production would cease entirely within 60 days.

The 47% of the world supply not located in China is primarily located in the United States and Australia. Any new restrictions on mining these minerals in the United States could threaten our future. Neodymium, the key element needed for wind turbines, is located in the Lemhl Pass in Idaho, but the site borders the Lemhl River, one of the largest producing salmon tributaries on the Salmon River. Any attempt to mine this area would undoubtedly meet strong opposition from environmentalists.

There needs to be an understanding and a balance between the environmental community and doing what is needed to ensure our national security, both militarily and economically. The key to the future may lie in the ability of these minerals to be mined in large quantities in the United States, with environmental community coming aboard in these efforts. With these materials being an essential ingredient in the coming green economy, it’s clear there is strong reason for cooperation and agreement on what is rapidly becoming an essential need for our future.

Chris Hopkins is senior vice president for aggregates and mining, The Saint Consulting Group, email hopkins@tscg.biz and phone 615-656-3794

A 2003 Piece Concerning NIMBYism; Elements Germane To All Natural Resource Producers

2010-01-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

Coal Nearly A Billion Dollar Industry In Alabama.

2009-12-17T12:43:00.000-06:00

2009-11-25T10:06:00.000-06:00

Our sincere condolences, and prays are given to the family of James Chaney, who perished, yesterday, at Walter Energy's Brookwood No. 7 underground mine. We also hope and pray for a speedy recovery for Milton Etheridge who was found in imminent danger, as well.

Read the account here.

Jackson County Residents Claim Proposed Mining Area Danger To Motorists

2009-11-20T11:53:00.000-06:00

Browse the full story here.

SCOTTSBORO, AL. - Residents in the Sand Mountain community of Fabius near Stevenson
Sand Mountain residents say a coal mining pit like this, if dug along Jackson County Road 81 in the Fabius community near Stevenson, would be a hazard to traffic, including school buses that travel the road daily.

D & E Mining, based in the nearby Flat Rock community, asked the commission for permission to mine coal next to the road.

2009-11-19T16:55:00.002-06:00

Tracking Your Taxes: Americans Spend Millions for Environmental Groups to Sue the Government - FOXNews.com

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Drummond Writes Secretary of State Clinton

2009-11-06T12:17:00.001-06:00

Read the full story here

Drummond Co. President Garry Neil Drummond has filed a protest with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about the United Steelworkers union, which earlier petitioned her to probe working conditions at the company's mine in Colombia, where the latest fatality happened last week.

The flap stems from a letter the Steelworkers sent to Clinton in September, objecting to treatment of workers at the Pribbenow Mine that Drummond operates in South America. That letter stated the company planned to fire all 4,000 union-affiliated workers at the mine near La Loma, and that Clinton should investigate.

Now, the Steelworkers have backed off the assertion that the company plans to fire all union workers. The union doesn't represent the Colombian miners, but does represent thousands of miners in North America and supports overseas miners as part of an international outreach program. And the Steelworkers still say there needs to be more attention to detail at Drummond's Colombian mine.

The controversy has focused international attention on the 25,000-acre Pribbenow Mine, a surface operation that opened during the 1990s as Drummond's profitably recoverable Alabama coal dwindled.

The mine produces about 24 million tons a year and pays workers far above the national minimum wage. The population of La Loma has more than doubled in recent years, and investment is booming as Drummond works to develop a second mine in the area.

Dozens of Alabamians work in Colombia on rotating shifts, flying back and forth on the company's private jets for days or weeks at a time.

"Drummond will continue to use all legal means to assure that neither its work force nor the public continues to be misinformed and that the goodwill and name of the company is preserved," Garry Neil Drummond told Clinton in a letter dated Nov. 4.

Drummond Co. was formed in Walker County by the current president's father, who started the billion-dollar company with a mule and a wagon. The main street in La Loma is named for him, Heman Drummond.

A Great Analysis of Oregon's Radical Environmental Obstructionists Problem

2009-11-03T22:06:00.000-06:00

Radical Environmental Obstructionism

‘No to new coal? That’s environmental nimbyism’

2009-11-02T10:10:00.001-06:00

‘No to new coal? That’s environmental nimbyism’

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Open letter to Sierra Club’s Bruce Nilles

2009-10-26T12:55:00.002-05:00

Open letter to Sierra Club’s Bruce Nilles

This letter is addressed to the Sierra Club’s Bruce Nilles concerning issues over commenting on Facebook fan pages for ACCCE and the Sierra Club.
Dear Bruce,
We appreciate your reaching out to us this week on our Facebook page. We encourage a robust conversation there from all sides of the energy debate, be it through comments or links to videos or other interesting content. We believe that the facts surrounding the use of coal as a fuel of the future are so strong, we’re willing to debate anywhere, anytime … including on Facebook.
However, apparently the Sierra Club, the organization you represent, does not share a similar commitment to a full and open discussion on issues involving energy and the environment. I tried commenting last week on Sierra Club’s Facebook page, but was blocked from doing so. I’ve also tried to post on your site’s wall (as you did twice on our page last week), only to find that you don’t allow postings.
Given this turn of events, I’ve decided to delete your postings from our page. You can repost those items should the Sierra Club decide to allow ACCCE open access to your site’s page.
Sincerely,
Joe Lucas Senior Vice President, ACCCE

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Alabama's Walter Energy Sees Strong Demand For Steel-Making Coal

2009-10-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

Read the full report here

* Says sales are outpacing 2008 highs

* Says getting additional orders from customers

* Says to start longwall mining in December

Mobile Press-Register Editorial: Bill would 'cap' the economies of 2 states

2009-10-19T22:40:00.001-05:00

Catch the full story here.

MOST MEMBERS of the Alabama and Mississippi congressional delegations have correctly concluded that "cap and trade" environmental proposals in Congress would be a kick in the teeth for the two states.

Indeed, even if one accepts that global warming is a grave threat, the cap-and-trade legislation would do little to reduce the problem of global carbon emissions.

Alabama, Mississippi and other Southern states that rely on coal-generated electricity would pay a higher price than the nation as a whole.

The cap-and-trade system would impose significant costs on the two states' coal-based power industries. Also, Alabama and Mississippi would have to import electricity from states with a greater capacity to generate wind and solar power.

These added costs would virtually eliminate a key advantage Alabama and Mississippi have enjoyed in competing for new industries: relatively low-cost power.

We expect the states' senators — Mr. Sessions and Richard Shelby in Alabama; Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker in Mississippi — will also say "no" to this cap on the economy.

Alabama Environmental Management Commission Punts.

2009-10-17T10:03:00.001-05:00

As reported in the Birmingham News:

The Alabama Environmental Management Commission this morning told an administrative law judge to conduct further hearings on a water discharge permit for the proposed 1,773-acre Shepherd Bend coal strip mine.

The mine is near a major Birmingham Water Works intake on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Inc. had appealed the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's decision to grant the permit, arguing the operation would harm water quality.

The commission oversees ADEM.

Demand For Steel, Coke, Coal Heat Up With Inventories At Low

2009-10-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Read the article here

With the global steel industry rebounding after a disastrous nine months, depleted inventories need to be replenished, which should bode well in 2010 for steelmakers and coal, coke and iron ore suppliers, industry experts said Wednesday.

Predictions by the World Steel Association indicate that the steel industry will have a healthy 2010, U.S. Steel Corp. CEO John Surma said at the Met Coke World Summit at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel, Downtown. The trade association anticipates global steel demand will grow next year by about 9 percent to the level of 2008.

Inventories at steel industry service centers are at historic low levels, Surma said. The industry's operating rate at the beginning of the month was just below 60 percent of capacity, down from 77 percent at the same time in 2008. The current production rate is not sufficient to meet the growing demand for steel, Surma said.

Demand for coke and coal has been robust in Asia, particularly in China and India, Surma said. The U.S. Steel chief, who just returned from an industry conference in China this week, said he sees no indication that China's "extraordinary increase in steel consumption" will slow in the near future.

"The economic environment suggests that 2010 will be a better year," as more steelmaking capacity is put into production, said Becky E. Hites, managing partner for World Steel Dynamics, an Englewood Cliffs, N.J., consulting firm.

The production of coke, made by burning metallurgical coal and used as a fuel in steel mill blast furnaces, should increase to between 25 million and 28 million tons in 2010, from the projected 15 million tons this year, said Ronnie Cecil, senior consultant on steelmaking costs and raw materials for CRU, a London-based consulting firm that has an office in Pittsburgh.

Higher demand could bring an increase in coke prices to between $200 and $250 a ton next year, Cecil said. But the market and price for metallurgical coal will be affected by what China does with a 40 percent duty it placed on its exports, Cecil said. That has boosted the price of Chinese coking coal to more than $350 a ton, thus limiting its demand on the international market, Cecil said.

"We think met coal is certainly the 'choke point' of the steel industry around the world," rather than iron ore or other raw materials, said Joseph Carrabba, CEO of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., a Cleveland-based owner and operator of iron ore and metallurgical coal mines. Steel-producing countries such as India, China and Brazil are short on metallurgical coal, Carrabba noted.

While predicting that 2010 will be a year of recovery, no one should get "too euphoric" because "the economies we are dealing with are fragile," Carrabba said. He is "cautiously optimistic," waiting to see if the economic rebound will falter when the "stimulus bubble" bursts.

Experts Say Coke Ovens Getting More Environmentally Conscience.

2009-10-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Catch the full story here.

Coke oven technology in the 21st century will cut down on harmful gas produced by burning coal at high temperatures, whether its done by recovering the gaseous byproducts or burning them in the ovens, industry experts said Tuesday.

The process by which noxious gases are burned in the coke ovens "is taking off in the U.S.," because it is a simpler process and poses less risk to the environment, said Hardarshan Valia, the co-chairman of the Met Coke World Summit, which opened yesterday in the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel, Downtown. The event, which has attracted more than 200 industry representatives from around the world, continues through Thursday.

"You can't smell the benzene or the other gases. Most of the steelmakers are going that way," said Valia, a metallurgical coal consultant and president of Coal Science Inc., a consulting firm in Highland, Ind.

Coke, produced by burning pulverized bituminous coal inside sealed ovens at high temperatures for about 18 hours, is used as fuel in a blast furnace to make steel. U.S. production of coke has dropped in recent years as the steel industry consolidated and coke production moved overseas, a result of increased demand in China and India, and stricter U.S. environmental regulations, Valia said.