Feds to Rein in Toxic Air Pollution at Coal Mines

Office of Surface Mining Grants WildEarth Guardians Petition Calling for Limits on Poisonous "Orange Clouds"

Denver—Toxic air pollution at coal mines nationwide is slated to be reined in as the U.S. Office of Surface Mining announced late last week it is granting a petition filed by WildEarth Guardians to curtail “orange clouds” produced from blasting.

“The coal industry has been given a free pass to pollute for too long, this is a big step forward for clean air and for wrangling dangerous dirty energy byproducts,” said Jeremy Nichols, WildEarth Guardians’ Climate and Energy Program Director.  “The Office of Surface Mining is moving in the right direction to ensure that public health and safety comes before coal.”

On April 14 2014, WildEarth Guardians filed a petition with the U.S. Office of Surface Mining, calling on the agency to adopt a national rule prohibiting blasting at coal mines that produces visible emissions of nitrogen oxide gases, which are seen as reddish to orange and brownish clouds of gas.

These clouds, which are often associated with massive strip mining operations in the Powder River Basin—the largest coal producing region in the U.S.— and with mountain top removal mining in Appalachia, can be lethal.  They represent concentrations of nitrogen oxide gases that exceed several health and safety limits.  In fact, concentrations of nitrogen oxides may be up to 300 times higher than national health limits. 

After reviewing the petition, as well as public comments submitted to the agency over the summer, the Office of Surface Mining informed WildEarth Guardians that it is granting the petition.  In a December 12 letter, the agency cited the “inherent danger” from improperly conducted blasting and announced it intends to propose a rule that “will address the health and safety aspects of all blast generated fumes and toxic gases.” 

“This is simply about ensuring the coal industry takes reasonable steps to protect public health and safety before people are harmed,” said Nichols.  “This is significant, yet sensible progress.”

Although the danger of orange clouds has been acknowledged, states and industry have taken no steps to limit these emissions.  In Wyoming, for example, regulators have simply warned residents in the area to “stay inside anytime you see any NOx [nitrogen oxide] fumes from blasting at the neighboring mines,” and posted signs along roads warning the public to “avoid contact” with orange clouds.

To see pictures of orange clouds in the Powder River Basin, check out a recent post on the blog, East of Billings, as well as pictures taken by WildEarth Guardians


 

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