Crystal's Coffee Corner

Crystal’s Coffee Corner

Currently in the United States there are over 600 coal plants in operation. Some of these plants have been in existence for well over fifty years. Throughout the history of this country, coal has been an integral part of providing energy for consumers. Coal has been used to heat homes, as an energy source for machinery, and currently utilized to produce electricity for consumers. Coal, which is considered a fossil fuel, has been mined and excavated from predominantly the Appalachian area of the country. As I write this article I can see out my window the smoke stacks from coal power plants just across the border into Pennsylvania. Since coal has been such a reliable energy source, why is there such a concern over the continued usage of a product that has served us so well? Many communities in my home state of West Virginia were founded on the coal industry. Is coal really as bad as the environmentalists claim? Perhaps. I will let you, my faithful readers decide for yourself.

According to the Greenpeace International website (Greenpeace.org, 2011), fossil fuels contribute more than 80% of US Global warming pollution and more specifically, coal has been linked to an increase in cancer and asthma risks. Kentucky has long been a producer and consumer of coal. Kentucky, more specifically southern Kentucky, has the highest rates of cancer in the country.

Is the production and usage of coal a moral matter? The coal mining industry and power plants employ thousands of individuals in many rural states where employment is difficult to find. The coal companies donate a great deal of money to philanthropic causes. If these coal companies were to disappear what would be the impact on the local, state, and national economy? Is this a moral discussion or an ethical discussion? I do not believe there is a moral discussion to be had regarding this topic. A moral matter would be one that involves basic right or wrong. This would be an ethical...