Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Technological and social impact assessment of resource extraction: the case of coal

Journal Article · · Environment and Behavior; (United States)
Social Impact Assessment is used to examine and compare human activity in the environment of coal extraction by deep and strip mining. Relationships between technological and sociological disciplines appear in decisions on whether or not to mine the coal, how to mine it, and how to justify the decisions. Area stripping in Ohio has eliminated local agriculture, while deep mining has spawned river communities. Comparisons of community infrastructure can be made in the kinds of goods and services delivered, by whom, and the conditions of exchange, and in the patterns of physical settlement. Since area stripping is progressive, locations are continually shifting, which means employees and equipment are always moving. Deep mines, which are stable, encourage towns and patterns of walking to work. This article emphasizes that policy makers need to consider the human factor, not just technological and economic considerations, in making decisions on coal extraction. (DCK)
Research Organization:
Ohio Univ., Athens
OSTI ID:
7364570
Journal Information:
Environment and Behavior; (United States), Journal Name: Environment and Behavior; (United States) Vol. 7:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English