Federally required restoration of surface-mined property: impasse between the coal industry and the environmentally concerned

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Nat. Resour. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5932731

Rasnic, C D

The opposing interests of the environmentalists and the surface-mining industry are discussed. Despite the escalating costs imposed by environmental regulations, coal remains the cheapest of the fossil fuels on an energy basis. That Congress' 1977 legislation was intended to effect a near cessation of coal strip mining is not plausible. Rather, the intention of the legislation was to regulate reasonably its devastating effects on the environment. The coal industry must, therefore, accept the responsibility for preservation and reclamation to the greatest extent practicable. The conflict with the surface mining industry is not irreconcilable, but much negotiation and compromise must take place before a resolution is imminent.

• Research Organization: Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond
• OSTI ID: 5932731
• Journal Information: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Vol. 23:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
LAND RECLAMATION
LEGISLATION
SURFACE MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MINING
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
510600 - Environment
Terrestrial- Regulations- (-1989)
294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal