Mountain Top Remover

MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL

1. Clearing – Removing topsoil & vegetation
2. Blasting – Tops of the mountain are exploded
3. Digging – Coal and debris are removed by
using a machine called a dragline

MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL

4. Dumping Waste – Waste dumped into nearby
streams/land
5. Processing – Coal is cleaned and processed
6. Reclamation – revegetation and stabilize area

From Coal to Electricity

• Create Heat

– Pulverized coal and air are burned to

create heat

• Water turns to Steam

– Reaches 1000oF and 3500 pound of

pressure

• Steam Turns Turbine

– Steam pushes against turbine blades

which connect to generator and
produce electricity

• Steam Condenses back into Water

– Steam cooled by river/lake water

• Process repeats

Advantages of Using Coal

• Most abundant energy resource
• Low Cost

– Creates price stability

• The USA has the largest recoverable

reserves
– No need to import resources

• Generates almost half the

energy used in the USA

Close to Home Locations

• Chesapeake

• North Carolina

• Virginia

Environmental Impacts of Burning

Fossil Fuels

• Water Use

– Uses fresh water for cooling steam
– Draws in fish eggs, larva, and juveniles

• Wastes Generated

– Solid Waste: Ash, Sludge, Toxic Substances
– Most dumped into unlined onsite landfills

Environmental Impacts of Burning

Fossil Fuels

• Air Pollution

– Leading cause of smog, acid rain, global

warming, and air toxics

– Big 6: Ground level Ozone, Particulates, Carbon

Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Lead

– Others: Carbon Dioxide,

Mercury, Arsenic,
Volatile Organic Compounds