DISQUS

The Moderate Voice: This is Your Life...on Coal: Before & after video, Harriman, TN coal ash disaster

  • DLS · 11 months ago
    Readers should not fear or abhor coal excessively because of this accident. It is hardly typical or characteristic of coal.

    The solid waste, in addition to the smoke, from burning coal is, however. Remember that the next time you see a long train pass by of full hopper cars, full of coal.
  • Jillmz · 11 months ago
    You are right - there's no need to fear or abhor it excessively. Fearing and abhorring it at whatever you'd consider to be a non-excessive level works just fine. The storage method for the waste product is to blame just as much as the waste product itself. But you are right - no need to be excessively abhorring or fearing - a normal level is fine too.
  • DLS · 11 months ago
    I would say some measure of concern is in order. Not just what's done with the waste, but in obtaining the fuel in the first place.

    http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Mount...

    http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/Environment/...

    http://www.appvoices.org/index.php?/site/mtr_ov...
  • DLS · 11 months ago
    Bottom line, coal is very useful, very inexpensive, but filthy, generating huge amounts of waste -- and don't forget the effects on people.

    http://www3.cet.edu/appalachianinstitute/
  • Jillmz · 11 months ago
    Cost benefit analysis indeed but with more people, more need, more use? More danger.
  • elrod · 11 months ago
    As a resident of East Tennessee, I can tell you that TVA is not a popular institution and that coal power is widely blamed for our terrible air pollution. The terrain locks in pollutants in the Tennessee Valley, and the 10 million people visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year only adds to the bad air. But TVA is not supposed to be this haphazard in handling its coal waste. TVA is not some jive smalltime mining outfit. It's the biggest utility in the world. And it's deceiving the people as far as the effect on the water supply. If TVA Chief Tom Kilgore keeps his job, I'll be amazed - and depressed.
  • Jillmz · 11 months ago
    Elrod - thanks very much for commenting on this. I can hoo and ha all I want over the disaster, but I'm not there nor do I live there or know anyone personally who does. Not that that matters when it comes to caring about our land and people, but still - it's really important and helpful to hear from people who are familiar with the region and the TVA. Thanks very much.
  • enjoy0rs · 11 months ago
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  • JessicaL · 8 months ago
    Check out a new video showing before and after shots of Harriman, TN. http://tinyurl.com/cnf5oa or www.filthycoal.org. The video is set to "Filthy Clean" a folk song by Nick Annis